The club’s manager, having previously stated he didn’t care if they chose to re-sign on the eve of next season, warned Charlie Mulgrew, Lee Miller, Gary McDonald, Richard Foster and 16-year-old Fraser Fyvie that they might be “left out on a limb” if they don’t put pen to paper soon.
McGhee, who has also previously gone on record as saying he understood why players stalled on new deals in order to weigh up all their options, now insists he won’t wait too long for decisions to be reached.
“I want to push on with my plans,” he said, “knowing who we’re going to have at the club next season. If I don’t get decisions, I’ll make decisions. If someone else becomes available who can do the same job then those other players could be left out on a limb.
“I accept finding six players good enough would be a problem but we are out there scouring the market and if we find players good enough we will enlist them for next season.”
In addition to those whose contracts expire next summer, Mark Kerr will be asked to extend his deal. Defender Maurice Ross, McGhee added, would also have to make it clear whether he intends to remain at Pittodrie beyond his current short-term arrangement, which runs out in late January.
Meanwhile, the Aberdeen manager admitted to being embarrassed that his side, with six red and 30 yellow cards so far this season, top the disciplinary charts.
“Motherwell were the best-behaved team in the SPL when I was there last season,” he said, “and were awarded a European place as a result.
“I’ve tried to work out why this has happened, apart from some decisions going against us. I would welcome the chance to talk things through with the SFA.”
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