Dens loanee out to shine at Blue Toon

Lyall Cameron is out to prove himself at Peterhead. The Dundee winger is on loan to the Blue Toon for the season and is in contention to feature in today’s League One curtain-raiser against Airdrieonians at the Penny Cars Stadium.

The 18-year-old has already appeared three times in the Dens Park first team, but believes playing regularly at Balmoor this term can help ease his transition into James McPake’s side on a regular basis in the future.

Cameron said: “Peterhead is a well- run and professional club and it’s good to be here.

“It’s been a good start with the two wins we’ve had so far.

“Hopefully going forward from here I can make some starts soon.

“I heard about this move the day before that Dundee were interested in getting me out on loan and it was a no-brainer coming here to hopefully get plenty of game time.

“It’s a good level League One and it’s only one level below where Dundee are.

“I’m happy to play here and it’ s a very good standard so I’m happy to be here for the season.

“I want to prove myself at Peterhead by playing games and showing what I’m capable of.”

League One promises to be both tight and entertaining again this season.

Although full-time sides Falkirk and Partick Thistle will be expected to joust for the title, Peter head’ s opponents this afternoon, Airdrie, with their hybrid squad of full-time and parttime players, may also have a say.

The division also contains experienced campaigners such as Montrose and East Fife while many are interested to see how promoted Cove Rangers fare.

Peterhead are looking to improve on last term’s eighth- placed finish and look capable of doing so after confidence- boosting League Cup wins over Dundee United and Brechin City.

Cameron added: “I’m not sure what we can aim for in the league, but we’ve had a good start to the season and that will make people wonder what we can do.

“We haven’t set any big targets yet, but we want to keep the progress we’ve got going on and hopefully that leads to plenty of wins in the league and a good position.”

Manager Jim McInally says facing Airdrie will be a good gauge of the level his side is at.

The Blue Toon boss is not making any bold predictions for the League One campaign, but he is confident his side can have a good season, despite the continuing uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

McInally said: “Airdrie haven’t written themselves o ff when it comes to winning the league and playing them will be a good gauge of where we are.

“We want to have a good campaign. First and foremost it’s about making sure the club survives and if we can do that and still be in this league it would be a good season.

“But we might be better than that, we don’t know yet, but we’ve got some good players.

“If the ones that have turned the corner keep playing as they are then I don’t see many midfields that will be better than ours.

“Then we’ve got Steven Boyd who gives us a touch of class and Isaac Layne is a handful for anybody so we’ ve got some good options.

“I’m not going to raise expectations after two League Cup games, but it’s been encouraging.”

Midfielders Gary Fraser and Josh Mulligan and striker Ben Armour are Peterhead’s absentees for today’s game.

YOUNGSTER: Lyall Cameron could feature in today’s game. Picture by Darrell Benns.

Touch of class: Steven Boyd in action for Peterhead.