Dundee playmaker ought to be in future Scotland stars discussion

Those who believe Scottish football doesn't extend further north and east than Stirling Services would have you believe that the big debate on Scotland's future stars lies between Kilmarnock's David Watson and Motherwell's Lennon Miller. Both are undoubtedly huge prospects that have staked their claims in their prospective sides and - hopefully - won't be ruined as so many of their predecessors were by wasting away on the bench at Ibrox or Parkhead. However, a delightful 40-yard opener on Saturday from one of Dundee's own academy products should crowbar open the debate for another name - Lyall Cameron.

Taking advantage of a series of calamitous errors from Dimitar Mitov and his band of merry men in the St Johnstone defence does not earn Cameron this status alone, but the technique and poise to pull off a lob from distance shouldn't be underestimated. The most impressive element of Cameron's performances this season, though, has been the ease with which he has settled into the demands of the Premiership following his breakthrough in last season's title-winning side. Sides moving between the top two tiers - or, to be more precise, their fanbases - can sometimes have misguided appraisals of the merits of individual players or the squad as a whole. Operating as a playmaker in a side expected to win most weeks against defences that are sturdy yet fallible is a different kettle of fish from trying to outwit the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers as well as taking on duties further back the pitch. Examples of players who have been unable to weave their magic in the top tier or exert the same level of influence as they did in the Championship are endless.

However, the diminutive Dundonian has handled the step up in calibre with aplomb. Goals and assists might not have flowed for him as easily as they did in the second tier, but that's due in part to a more balanced squad contributing across the piece and in part to a different formation and approach being deployed by Tony Docherty, and it's demonstrated Cameron's capability to play effectively in a number of roles. The alchemy between him, Sylla and McCowan is absolutely perfect for what Dundee need this season, and ensuring that the three of them remain at Dens in the longer term has surely formed part of the conversation the manager had with owner Tim Keyes this week, who has flown over from the States for what is rumoured to be a number of important, exciting announcements.

One announcement the club has made today is season ticket prices for the next campaign. As ever with these things, there are too many caveats and permutations to cover all effectively, but it looks as if the club is capitalising on the feel-good factor around the team at the moment to introduce some steep hikes in prices. Those who renew or buy in the next month or so will spend an extra £20 compared to this season, but that increases to an extra £80 for those who take their time in doing so. The era of £1 season tickets for U12s is also coming to an end, with anybody looking to take along their kids now paying £50 per head.

There are, as ever, reasons that will be given for these increases, some with more merit than others. As far as I can recall, there was no increase last season - no doubt due in part to the uncertainty at the time over which division we'd be playing in - so this feels a little like two years rolled into one. No doubt the club will also have access to data on ticket purchasing trends, and will have calibrated the prices and sales periods to hit a sweet spot that will help set Tony Doc's budget for next season at an early stage. The club has also highlighted that season ticket holders will have priority for away games and cup ties, showing that optimism is a very Dundonian trait indeed.

On the other hand, though, is the statement of the obvious - it is a hell of a lot of money to pay for a fortnightly weekend activity, particularly for those shelling out for the whole family or on lower incomes. The concurrent increase in individual match ticket prices - £33 for a "Category A" game, £30 for Cat B and £26 for Cat C - aren't much better news for those with a careful eye on their own household budgets. Some sort of commitment from the club to use the revenue-raising potential of the new stadium to keep ticket prices sustainable for our loyal fans would go a long way to easing wallets beyond next season.