Dundee manager Tony Docherty has paid tribute to Lyall Cameron after the midfielder agreed a pre-contract deal with Rangers.
Some might’ve expected the likeable Dens Park boss to be frustrated with Lyall Cameron’s decision to sign a deal at Rangers on transfer deadline day.
Cameron will join up with the Gers in the summer but before then will be focused on giving his all in the second half of the season at Dundee.
The transfer has left some Dundee supporters frustrated with the 22-year-old amongst the brightest talents in Scottish football.
But far from take aim at Lyall Cameron for having his head turned by the glamour of Rangers, Tony Docherty hailed the midfielder’s ‘fantastic’ contribution.
Tony Docherty hails Lyall Cameron
”Credit to Lyall,” Docherty told Sky Sports. ”Lyall’s been a fantastic servant to Dundee Football Club.
”I think he’s now played 108 times for the club and scored 27 goals which for a midfielder, a one in four return is fantastic.
”More important than that, this season when I’ve asked him to step up to the plate with Luke (McCowan) going (to Celtic), he’s had 17 goal contributions, eight goals and nine assists, in 30 league appearances.
”I think that’s fantastic in any league you look at, so his numbers are up there high.
”Listen, what happens with that, when you’re that successful and you’re doing that well and the type of person he is, you’re going to attract suitors.
”That’s exactly the situation we’re in just now but full credit to Lyall.
”I’ve got a very good relationship with all my players but particularly with Lyall as well.
”Lyall is very much a Dundee player until he’s not a Dundee player and I can guarantee that he’ll be giving everything to help us achieve our objectives.”
Rangers bound star ‘100%’ committed to Dundee
Amid the fall out from Dundee fans, it’s easy to suspect Lyall Cameron might be more focused on that switch to Rangers come the end of the season.
But Tony Docherty insists that the Scotland youth international will give his all in the dark blue of Dundee between now and the end of the season.
In a staunch defence of the Rangers-bound youngster, Docherty explained that Cameron’s exit is part of the process at Dens Park.
With no hard feelings, the Dundee manager insists Lyall Cameron is determined to end this season on a high at Dens Park.
”Lyall is the type of player that really attracted me to this job,” said Docherty.
“Because when I came in here I think it was well documented we weren’t free to sign players but it was the opportunity to sign up a lot of players that won the Championship that year.
”What really attracted me to the Lyall’s, Luke McCowan’s, Josh Mulligan’s, Finn Robertson’s, is that they’re young players that are eager to improve and learn.
”That’s the type of players when I walked through the door I wanted to work with and I wanted them to walk back out again having developed something.
”That’s the kind of culture, that’s the environment we’re trying to create at the football club and Lyall’s a product of that.
”Everyday he comes in here he tries his best to improve something about his game and when you’re doing that, and you put in those sorts of performances, you’re going to attract suitors.
”But I can just assure everybody that knowing him as a person, knowing his personality, he’s a hugely ambitious young man, that he will make sure that when he pulls on that Dundee shirt every occasion he’ll be giving absolutely everything.
”Because he’s a perfectionist. He wants to leave here on a real high and listen if he’s to leave here today he would, in my opinion.
”But he realises now he’s got a real responsibility to his teammates, to the staff, to myself, to the club, to the supporters to do all he can when he pulls on that blue shirt, and I can assure you knowing Lyall, that’s what he’ll do.”
Lyall Cameron can emulate Celtic star at Rangers
The Dundee manager was speaking ahead of the Dens Park club’s trip to face Celtic at Parkhead.
Lyall Cameron could become an instant hero in the eyes of the Rangers support with a match-winning role in the Scottish Premiership clash.
At the same time, Dundee have also been raided by Celtic in recent windows with the Parkhead side’s signature of Luke McCowan.
Asked if Cameron could have a similar impact at Ibrox, Docherty reckons ‘time will tell’.
”They’re two really, really talented boys,” said Docherty.
”There’s really talented players in the building. For me the biggest thing about them is their mentality and their drive.
”They’re very ambitious the both of them, they’re really similar.
”That’s what attracted me to the football club to work with players like that and it wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever.
”Lyall, I asked him to step up to the plate this season with Luke’s departure going to Celtic.
”No surprise how well Luke’s done and I would imagine Lyall will be the exact same.
”It’s something that they work towards every day and I really commend him.
”He’s a bright young man, he’s a really talented footballer, but as a person he’s got that real drive about him, that ambition.
”That’s the type of footballers you want to work with and we wish him every success.”
