Tony Docherty: Reliable Lyall Cameron will give Aberdeen what they need most

Former Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty insists new loan signing Lyall Cameron can be relied upon to bring that priceless commodity to the Dons – goals.

The on-loan Rangers midfielder had an encouraging debut for Aberdeen as he helped the Scottish Cup holders safely navigate a tricky fourth round tie against Raith Rovers with a 1-0 win at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Jack Milne’s first goal for the club ended a four-game scoring drought for the team.

Docherty, who managed Cameron for two seasons at Dundee, believes the former Scotland under-21 international will bring the vital firepower Aberdeen are looking for.

Docherty said: “The biggest thing about him is the number of goals and assists. That’s the real quality he has.

“If he plays 30 yards from the goal, in the wee areas, in my experience, his decision-making was brilliant.

“He made the right decision nine times out of 10, whether it was a pass, a cross or a shot.

“I always found with Lyall, the difference between him and why he was such a talented boy, is his final action was so reliable.”

Cameron’s numbers for Dundee were impossible to ignore

Docherty’s high praise for Cameron should come as no surprise.

The midfielder scored five goals in his first season under Docherty in the 2023-24 campaign for the Dark Blues before adding 14 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances for the Dee last season.

Those numbers tend to attract attention, and Rangers beat Aberdeen to the punchin landing the 23-year-old on a pre-contract in February last year.

Docherty is not surprised the consistency Cameron produced for Dee did not go unnoticed.

He said: “His statistics from his time at Dundee are excellent.

“When we worked together, in so many games he was the difference with that final action whether it was an assist or a goal.

“I’d resigned myself to him leaving last summer as his numbers were attracting such attention.

“For a young midfielder to have 23 goal contributions (14 goals and nine assists), is going to have clubs taking notice.

“That’s really good shooting for a midfield player so obviously when you get the numbers, when you’ve got the profile of a young player like Lyall, then he’s going to attract suitors, and that’s what he did.

“I keep in touch with him and I’m just pleased to see him playing again. He was a bit unfortunate at Rangers, but now he’s found somewhere he can go and demonstrate his ability.”

Cameron’s work ethic stood out for Docherty

Cameron’s goals and assists may have caught the eye of other clubs but it is his dedication and desire which Docherty believes really epitomised his career at Dens Park.

That’s why the former Ross County manager is delighted to see Cameron get the chance at a fresh start after a lack of game time at Ibrox following his loan move to the Dons.

Docherty said: “Lyall was brilliant to work with as a player as well, because he always wanted to learn and always tested himself.

“He was the hardest-working player, a really fit boy, always up the front at pre-season, and a joy to work with.

“He’s one of the ones you’re really pleased to see progress, and I think he’ll do well at Aberdeen.”

Cameron had played just 13 minutes of football since October prior to his 84 minute appearance for the Dons on his debut on Sunday.

Despite a lack of competitive minutes Cameron’s display convinced his former Dundee boss, who was on commentary duties for the BBC, to give the midfielder the man-of-the-match award.

He said: “Lyall hasn’t played a lot of football recently and his performance on Sundayspeaks volumes about how he managed to get through the game.

“I did think he was a bit leggy, but everything taken into account, he did well. For me he was the most productive player on the pitch.

“I know there’s a lot more to come for him once he gets himself match fit and I think he’ll be a really good fit for Aberdeen.

“Be it from open play or set plays, he’s involved and the Aberdeen fans will see a player who is exciting to watch.”

‘Aberdeen have got a player who will improve their team’

There was dismay among some of the Aberdeen support at Cameron’s move to Pittodrie only being a loan deal with no option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Some made their feelings known by displaying a banner which read ‘No Old Firm loans’ during Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie.

The frustration among fans who have watched Ryan Christie and Liam Scales impress during loan stints before returning to Celtic to establish themselves as first-team players, is understandable.

But Docherty, who worked with Christie as Derek McInnes’ assistant during their time together at Pittodrie, says the need of the team has to be driving factor in any loan signing.

He said: “It’s a smart bit of work for me, and I think just looking at it, it’s about improving your team, and Aberdeen have got a player who will improve their team in Lyall.

“The recruitment team, or whoever up at Aberdeen, has identified an area in the team where they’re maybe short, and that’s goal scoring.

“Only St Mirren and Dundee are behind Aberdeen in terms of scoring goals in the league.

“That’s what Lyall does. He contributes goals, be it an assist or be it a goal himself.”

[Source: Press and Journal]