Don deal: New Aberdeen signing Paul Hartley was part of Craig Levein's first Scotland squad back in March. Pic: ©SNS Group
Paul Hartley is expected to sign for Aberdeen on Wednesday, after reportedly agreeing a deal to move to Pittodrie. The midfielder, available on a free transfer from Bristol City, was an interested spectator at Vale Park on Tuesday night as he watched the Dons beat Port Vale 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.
Hartley had been expected to return to Hearts, where he enjoyed a successful four-year spell from 2003 to 2007. But the proposed deal to take him back to Edinburgh fell through earlier this week, with claims the Gorgie club’s chairman, Vladimir Romanov, had requested the player sign a document distancing himself from the ‘Riccarton Three’ incident in January 2007.
The Scotland international instead passed up the possible return to Tynecastle, holding talks with Mark McGhee at Aberdeen’s training base in Loughborough. Having secured his release from Bristol City this week, Hartley’s arrival excites the Dons manager, who feels he will boost his squad in more ways than one.
“The talks are well advanced,” McGhee told the Press and Journal. “We would not be embarrassing ourselves by bringing him here if it was not going to be concluded.
“He will be a big, big asset. He is a quality player and a quality individual. If we can get him on board he will be a great mentor to our young players.
“Paul brings more than just the performance on the Saturday. I think everyone in the squad was excited when he arrived at the training ground. They all know Paul is a popular player in Scotland.
“I am sure the players will be pleased with his arrival. We lost a lot of experienced players in the summer. We need someone like a Paul Hartley to help the young players. He will be the making of them.”
McGhee’s comments after the win over Port Vale also suggested a deal for Lee Hendrie, which was expected to be concluded last week, may be on the rocks. Former Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie, also available on a free, wasn’t in the manager’s thoughts when he discussed his central midfield pairing for the new campaign.
Instead, McGhee named another of his summer signings, Yoann Folly, as the perfect foil for Hartley. “I see Hartley and Folly being the defensive side of the midfield,” he said. “Hartley is an experienced player and he knows when he is able to do other things.”
