Lead by example: Hartley says he will aim to help Aberdeen's young players develop. Pic: © SNS Group
Aberdeen have completed the signing of Paul Hartley on a free transfer and manager Mark McGhee says he has signed a born leader. The Dons boss spoke of his delight at the signing and said he will be handing Hartley the captain’s armband.
The Scotland midfielder agreed to move to Pittodrie yesterday after weeks of speculation over his future. Hartley’s former club Bristol City had agreed to let him leave after the player failed to settle in the area.
Hearts appeared close to taking the player to Tynecastle for the second time but a proposed deal collapsed and Aberdeen moved swiftly to snap up the experienced player. McGhee said the signing was an important one that could help the developing players at Pittodrie.
"He'll be the club captain," McGhee told Aberdeen’s official website. "He'll be a brilliant example to the young players like Peter Pawlett and Fraser Fyvie. He could well be the making of them.
"Paul will be a bit of a policeman in the dressing room and he carries that authority and respect. The demands he'll make on other players - if a young player doesn't do things on the pitch he will recognise that.
"You can't always get the message across from the touchline - he'll make them a better player."
Hartley said the move was down to the positive impression he got from McGhee and Aberdeen director of football Willie Miller. He admitted he had been close to joining Hearts byt said that he was delighted to be a Dons player and said he would do his best to fulfil McGhee’s wish and help the younger players.
"[Hearts] was an option but as soon as I spoke to Mark and Willie I knew I was working with genuine people who really wanted to bring me to the club,” Hartley said. “They sold the club."
"The younger players here have potential, they are looking for that experienced player to come in and help them and improve them. Hopefully I can bring that to the team. I have played at a very good level over the last few years.
The Scotland player also said he wanted to help bring the good times back at Pittodrie and said the side should set their targets high.
"Aberdeen have always been a massive club and the challenge is to get them back up there,” he said.
"Hopefully I bring in a winning mentality. The big thing is to challenge for honours.It's been far too long since Aberdeen won any silverware.
"People talk about the top six but we have got to aim higher than that. Hopefully we can look for silverware."
