McGhee will take Aberdeen on a pre-season tour of Austria

Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee expects to miss out on Stephen Hughes, whose wage demands appear too high for the Dons.

"Stephen Hughes knows of our interest but he's keeping his options open," McGhee told BBC Scotland.

"One report said he's turned down £7,000 a week. That's way out of our league so it's unlikely that Stephen Hughes will be coming to Aberdeen."

Meanwhile, McGhee will assess several unnamed trialists during the Pittodrie club's pre-season trip to Austria.

McGhee describes other transfer pursuits as "ongoing" and admits it is difficult for Scottish Premier League clubs to compete with lower league clubs in England when it comes to wages.

"It's a huge problem," added McGhee. "Not just for us, for all clubs in Scotland, particularly in the climate at the moment with the uncertainty surrounding the TV deal.

I'll appoint the skipper probably the week before the Celtic game Mark McGhee

"Competing with League One clubs is hard enough, never mind Championship clubs. It's impossible for the clubs like Aberdeen and the other SPL clubs outside of probably Celtic and Rangers. By all accounts Hearts pay some high wages but the rest of us can't compete in that league.

"I've got other players joining us in Austria so I'm not in any rush. Those players will still be there waiting when we get back from Austria if necessary."

With Scott Severin having left the club to join Watford, McGhee needs to appoint a new club captain but will wait until just before the SPL season kicks off before making a decision.

"I'll appoint the skipper probably the week before the Celtic game," said McGhee.

"In between time, I'll experiment a little bit. I'll see who's suited to it and who wants it. By the Celtic game, we'll have a captain."

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