McGhee steps up talks with Aberdeen FC trio

Mark wants Kerr, Miller and McDonald to sign new contracts

By Sean Wallace

Published:

HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL: Aberdeen FC youngster Peter Pawlett has signed a long-term deal at Pittodrie.

ABERDEEN FC boss Mark McGhee is set to step up his bid to secure Mark Kerr, Lee Miller and Gary McDonald on new contracts.

McGhee will meet with the players’ agent on Thursday for contract talks.

All three are out of contract at the end of the season, and Aberdeen FC skipper Kerr has indicated he wants to remain at Pittodrie.

McGhee hopes the trio will follow teenager Peter Pawlett, who has signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal, by committing to the club.

He said: “The agent represents Kerr, McDonald and Miller, so it will be good to get the chance to finally discuss things properly.

“These things can take a little time but Kerr indicating he would like to stay is a good point to start from.”

McGhee is keen to retain the influential trio, but accepts if he fails in his bid to retain any of the out-of-contract players, it will free funds to bring in new faces.

“We have got to find some funds from somewhere to freshen the squad up and bring in the players I really want to see here,” he said.

“One of the ways to finance that will be through players leaving.

“I already have it my mind who are the really important ones that I would prefer to stay.

“But if they can’t agree terms we will just wish them well and look to get in replacements.

“There will be a natural cull, as there has always been at any club.

“There are still plenty of good players out there who would be happy to come to Aberdeen.

“It’s still viewed as a sexy club and I’m sure that will be reflected by the signings I do actually end up making.”

However, Aberdeen-born Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden is unlikely to be joining Aberdeen FC.

The USA international looks to be outwith McGhee’s price range.

“It’s no surprise that he is attracting interest from bigger clubs,” he said.

“It’s likely we’ve missed the boat on that one now because there is no way we will be able to compete with the type of wages he is likely to be offered.

“It’s frustrating but that’s the world we live in.”

McGhee hopes signing Pawlett can ultimately work as a ‘domino’ effect, inspiring the other out of contract players to sign on.

“Hopefully, Peter signing will be a catalyst to the others signing on,” he said.

“If they see that Peter has committed his long-term future ideally it will encourage the others to sign, and create a domino effect.

“Securing Peter on a new deal is a real boost because he has exciting times ahead at this club. Peter did not take that much convincing to stay as he wants to develop his game here.”

It’s frightening if Aberdeen FC don’t move to new stadium