‘It’s criminal’ – Aberdeen’s capture of Rangers star causes fan fury as transfer details emerge

Aberdeen announced on Saturday that they have completed the loan signing of Lyall Cameron from Rangers.

The 23-year-old central midfielder will join the Dons until the end of the season.

Cameron had been struggling for game time at Rangers and has only made 10 appearances this campaign to date.

Now, with Aberdeen looking to get their European qualification ambitions back on track, they will be hoping a player of Cameron’s experience can push the Dons back into the top half before the split.

However, with the details of the signing now being revealed, many of the Pittodrie Stadium are far from impressed.

Former Scotland Under 21 international Lyall Cameron has joined the Dons on loan for the remainder of the season.

🆕 https://t.co/W06siVYU0d pic.twitter.com/xgCczMBSmd— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) January 16, 2026

Aberdeen fans fume as Lyall Cameron’s loan move mentions no option to buy

Aberdeen are in a mess this season.

The Dons have lost their last four matches, with their last win coming against Kilmarnock on 14 December.

On top of this, despite Jimmy Thelin being sacked by Aberdeen on 4 January, a new manager has still not been appointed.

Therefore, when there was no mention of an option to buy Cameron at the end of the loan, many supporters were quick to direct their anger at the club.

No option to buy, deary me lads fits the point?— Phil (@philip_mair2) January 16, 2026

No option to buy is just utter madness, two recent examples in Christie and Scales pointing to why these deals have no benefit to us— Grant Heath (@GrantHeath95) January 16, 2026

The comments are going to be mental, and a loan with no option to buy is criminal, but that’s not Camerons fault. He’s a good player and will strengthen us.— Scott Wisely (@ScottWisely5xo) January 16, 2026

he’s a good player but just a loan with no option to buy i just don’t see the point we could of recalled Finlay Marshall— Richard Brown (@RichardBro68526) January 16, 2026

On top of this, with Cameron joining directly from a rival side in Rangers, many were also unimpressed that the loan deal was even approved.

Hooray! Developing a player for our bitter rivals! Nice one— Patrick 🇦🇹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@afc_patrick) January 16, 2026

Huge own goal this. Smacks of desperation and a club miles out of touch with its support. We should not under any circumstances be signing any player on loan from any club in the same division unless we have an option to buy. Decision makers at the club are a shambles.— Phil Grant (@weephil76) January 16, 2026

Is he that much of a cut above what we already have that we’re happy to keep our own players out the team and develop a player for Rangers?! Would understand if there was an option to buy, but loan only is a ridiculous strategy— Towzinho (@redyeti9) January 16, 2026

Is Cameron capable of making an impact at Aberdeen?

Coming into the club, there will be big expectations on Cameron given his experience at Rangers and his past form at Dundee

Last season, the midfielder made 41 appearances in all competitions for Dundee, where he scored 14 times and picked up nine assists.

This eventually earned him a deal at Ibrox in the summer, a move that has not worked out to date.

Nevertheless, when Cameron has played, he has put in some brilliant stats.

To date, he is averaging a 0.40 xG, 2.90 shots, 6.77 touches in the opposition’s box and a pass completion rate of 84.5 per cent per game, according to Fotmob on 17 January.

Therefore, there is no doubt that if Cameron is given a run of games at the Dons, he could make a big impact between now and the end of the season.

However, the real challenge for Aberdeen will be to return the midfielder to his previous form from the last campaign.

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