Aberdeen 1 Raith Rovers 0: Loan signing Lyall Cameron impresses on debut as Dons advance to Scottish Cup fifth round

Aberdeen began the defence of the Scottish Cup by edging out Raith Rovers as interim boss Peter Leven handed first team debuts to two players.

On-loan Rangers midfielder Lyall Cameron was pitched in from the start just 48 hours after completing his move to Pittodrie, and impressed in the 1-0 win.

There was also a long awaited debut for Mitchel Frame with the left back, signed from Celtic for £250,000 last summer, introduced at half-time.

Aberdeen’s glorious Scottish Cup final win at Hampden last May seems like a lifetime ago with the Dons on a seven game winless slump prior to the cup tie.

The manager who led the club to the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1990, Jimmy Thelin, was sacked earlier this month with the Dons now searching for a replacement.

Progressing in the Scottish Cup could potentially be the catalyst for a revival in the Dons form, with more signings set for the January transfer window.

Aberdeen grabbed the decisive goal in the ninth minute via Jack Milne, who bundled over the line from close range.

It ended the Reds’ goal-scoring drought stretching more than six hours.

Loanee Cameron brings set-piece edge

Aberdeen have struggled to score from, and defend, set pieces in recent months but on-loan Rangers midfielder Cameron delivered a quick-fire end to the drought.

The 23-year-old was pitched into the starting line-up only 48 hours after completing a loan move from the Ibrox club until the end of the season.

There is no option to buy Cameron although Aberdeen did push for that option.

The Reds have failed to score from a set-piece in the Premiership this term but within nine minutes of his starting debut Cameron orchestrated a goal from a corner.

Cameron whipped in a corner from the left to the near post that was flicked on by Dante Polvara to Jack Milne who forced the ball over the line from close range.

It was an early statement of intent from Cameron who has fallen down the pecking order at Rangers following the arrival of manager Danny Rohl.

Aberdeen fought to sign Cameron from Dundee last summer with the midfielder’s contract with Dundee expiring.

The Dons’ hierarchy felt they were close to sealing a deal but were ultimately priced out by the higher wages on offer at Rangers.

Cameron made only 1o appearances with Rangers this season, five of them starts.

The midfielder has played only 11 minutes for the Ibrox club since starting in the 6-0 Champions League play-off second leg loss to Club Brugge on August 27.

However, there was no sign of ring rust.

Cameron was always open to a receive a pass and was highly vocal, trying to organise team-mates he has only known for a short-time.

In the 35th minute a low cross from Cameron caused havoc in the Raith box with a snatched clearance by Darragh O’Connor falling to Topi Keskinen.

Winger Keskinen fired into the side-netting.

In the 56th minute Cameron superbly controlled a ball on the by-line with the inside of his foot, thigh high.

He then powered upfield, breaking past three challenges, to burst into the penalty area but his low shot was charged down.

Cameron was denied a debut goal in the 73rd minute when he again broke into the box but his low 15 yard drive was saved by keeper Josh Rae.

There is also a tenacity and grit to Cameron’s play.

He was fouled early in the second half but bounced straight back up, ready to get on with play to keep momentum going.

A banner declaring “No Old Firm Loans” was displayed at the front of the Red Shed, reflecting the frustration of some fans at a loan from a Premiership rival.

The standing ovation Cameron received when substituted off in the 84th minute indicates the majority of fans don’t care where a player comes from, if he improves Aberdeen.

Cameron’s debut was one of four changes to the starting line-up from the 2-0 loss to Rangers.

Stuart Armstrong, Topi Keskinen and Kevin Nisbet were also elevated to the staring XI.

Dropping to the bench were on-loan Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson, Graeme Shinnie and Marko Lazetic with defender Mats Knoester not in the match-day squad.

Dante Polvara at centre-back

Midfielder Dante Polvara was drafted in at centre-back following the forced absence of Knoester due to illness.

Dutch defender Knoester has been Aberdeen’s top performer this season and missing a game of such huge importance was a blow for interim boss Leven.

He turned to Polvara who also played at centre-back on the right of a three alongside Jack Milne and Knoester in the recent 2-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox.

Against Raith highly adaptable Polvara slotted into the left-centre-back berth in a back four.

The need to pitch in a midfielder at centre-back underlined the necessity of signing defensive back-up during the January transfer window.

Dundee centre-back Luke Graham is on Aberdeen’s transfer radar with the Dens Park club recently rejecting a six-figure bid from Portsmouth for the defender.

It is understood Dundee are looking for £1million plus for the defender.

Polvara was composed and his distribution consistently took pressure off the back-line.

He was also highly effective in moving forward into the midfield role to eradicate danger before it developed into a problem, with Milne covering behind him.

The American, out of contract at the end of the season, also played a key role in the opener when he flicked on a header for Milne to score.

Polvara came close to scoring, again from a corner, when he met the delivery but his header flashed inches wide of the far post.

He clearly has an understanding of how to play that centre-back role but that does not negate the need to sign defensive back up this month.

In the 33rd minute Polvara broke up an attack at the edge of the Dons 18-yard box and drove forward to instigate a counter.

He powered deep into Raith’s half before sliding a through-ball to the onrushing Kevin Nisbet that was blocked by a last ditch challenge.

It was an illustration of Polvara’s ability to swiftly turn defence into attack.

Left-back Mitchel Frame’s long wait for debut ends

Summer signing Mitchel Frame finally made his long awaited debut five months after joining Aberdeen in late August last year.

Aberdeen spent £250,000 to sign the left-back from Celtic but the 19-year-old has had to be patient in the wait for a first team appearance.

Interim boss Leven pitched in the teenager at half-time when taking him on for Emmanuel Gyamfi.

Frame arrived at Pittodrie on a four-year contract as a “project signing”.

Frame delivered a solid debut in keeping the shackles on right winger Josh Mullin.

He was disciplined and composed when defending and also supported Topi Keskinen on the left when the Dons were pushing forward.

ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Mitov 6; Devlin 7, Polvara 7, Milne 7, Gyamfi 4 (Frame 45); Cameron 7 (Nilsen 84), Clarkson 6 (Aouchiche 75),  Keskinen 6, Armstrong 5 (Shinnie  57), Milanovic 5 (Karlsson 57); Nisbet 6.

Subs not used: Vitols, Bilalovic, Lazetic, Lobban.

RAITH ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Rae 7; Rowe 6 (Matthews 75), O’Connor 6, Hanlon 6, Wilson 6; Brown, 7,  Doherty 6; Mullin 6 (Nsio 81), Easton 6 (Montagu 68), Winter 6 (McMullan 69); Hamilton 6 (Vaughan 81).

Subs not used: Glavin, Gibson, Hannah, Raeside.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 9,525

Man-of-the-Match: Lyall Cameron (Aberdeen)

[Source: Press and Journal]