Aberdeen’s new club captain Paul Hartley is thrilled to be Mark McGhee’s leader on the pitch and is determined to instal a winning mentality at Pittodrie.
Hartley’s two-year contract went through late yesterday afternoon.
With the formalities of his free transfer from Bristol City completed, the 33-year-old Scotland international was immediately named captain and has his sights on dragging the Dons out of their slumber and making Pittodrie a place for other teams to dread.
Hartley said: “The captaincy is a responsibility I have had at clubs in the past and it is a big honour. I think I am a good team player with a winning mentality.
“I am used to winning games over the years and that is the attitude I hope can rub off on some of the young players. I know Aberdeen are a massive club.
“They have challenged for honours throughout the years and we have to get back to that. It is all about installing a winning mentality. We need to get teams fearing coming to Pittodrie again.
“Your home form is absolutely vital in the SPL and every team coming to our place has to expect a hard game. This going to be a big season for the club.”
Hartley is not content with Aberdeen simply aiming to finish in the top six.
He added: “You do not like to set targets because a lot can happen throughout the year. You try to win as many games as possible. People talk about the top six, but we want to do better than just getting into the top half. We also want to win the cups.
“I have played against Aberdeen on numerous occasions so it is a club I know plenty about. I have had some decent results at Pittodrie and lots of tough games.
“It has not been going how they have wanted in recent years, but this is a new season with a lot of new faces.
“We want to gel together quickly and get results on the board. You have to get your best team performing as soon as possible.”
Hartley did not take much persuading to sign up to McGhee’s vision at Pittodrie. The Dons manager sees the midfielder as the perfect inspiration for his youthful squad.
Hartley added: “I am delighted to be at Aberdeen. I have been speaking to the club, Mark McGhee and Willie Miller since last week and it was a fairly straight-forward decision.
“When I heard what they wanted from me I was keen to be involved. I do not want to go into what happened with Hearts. I am at Aberdeen and that is all that matters.
“There was a bit of waiting about in the last day or so for things to be finalised, but now it is organised I am looking forward to getting started. It is a great challenge to play alongside all of these young players.
“My first thoughts when I saw the squad was I felt really old. It is a young group and the manager has been looking to bring in some experienced players. It will be my job to help them develop and improve as players.”
McGhee said: “Zander Diamond has done an admirable job as captain and will be vice-captain. Paul is someone he has looked up to for a number of years and he is looking forward to learning from him.
“We have got more than just a midfield player. We have got someone who has got great experience and strength of character. He will be a great role model.”
McGhee will turn his attention to landing former Charlton defender Grant Basey after all but ending his interest in Lee Hendrie and Robbie Williams.