Nelson has spent all of his career in England's lower leagues

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee admits he was forced into signing former Norwich City goalkeeper Stuart Nelson as back-up for the upcoming Europa League tie.

The 27-year-old has signed a one-year deal and will provide cover for Jamie Langfield against Sigma Olomouc.

"With the injury to Bertrand Bossu, we were leaving ourselves exposed," McGhee told BBC Scotland.

"I felt we could not risk that and can't go to the Czech Republic next week without a goalkeeper."

On Thursday, the Dons will host the Czech outfit in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round tie, with the return match taking place in Olomouc on 6 August.

McGhee had looked at long- and short-term loans for the goalkeeping position and believes Nelson will find it difficult to displace Langfield.

"It was difficult to find anyone good enough, so this is a goalkeeper who can give competition to Jamie Langfield and Bert and, if he is asked to, can do the job," added McGhee.

"Jamie Langfield is getting better and better and is on the fringes of the Scotland team, so he has a job on his hands, but he is up for the challenge."

However Nelson, who has previously played with Leyton Orient, Brentford and Doncaster Rovers, insists he is ready for the task.

"It is a massive club in Scotland," he told BBC Scotland.

"Everybody talks about Celtic and Rangers, but even south of the border everybody knows about Aberdeen and that was a massive pull for me coming here."

"I have always played. Last year was the first where I was back-up and that was to David Marshall and everybody up here knows what a good goalkeeper he is.

"It's going to be a challenge, but I am up for that challenge."

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