All new managers like to bring in their own players but financial contraints may delay significant moves by Mark McGhee for a while.

Mark McGhee is not able to relax into his new job as manager of Aberdeen. He is out and about looking for potential signings as he starts to build his side for the challenges of the new season. McGhee has his list of targets and inevitably he will be looking at his ex-charges at Motherwell who are out of contract like midfielder Stephen Hughes. But the new Dons boss admits he will face tough competition to persuade Hughes to follow him north. McGhee said: "Stephen knows I would like to bring him to Aberdeen. Scott Leitch (McGhee's assistant) is meeting with Stephen in Glasgow this weekend where we will talk to him about it further. Apparently he has been offered a very attractive contract from Hearts so there is competition for people like Stephen Hughes."

However, McGhee is well aware that the Dons may not be able to match any financial offer made to Hughes from the other clubs who are chasing the signature of the former Rangers player. McGhee said: "I hope the fact that I am here is a factor for Stephen. But young players like Stephen Hughes, who have a young family, are entitled to try to provide for their family and therefore try to get the best deal possible. Working with me again won't be at the top of his list of reasons for choosing a club but if there comes a point where we are neck and neck with someone else then hopefully because it is me that will sway it."

However the new Aberdeen boss does not want to sour relations with his old club and has no intentions of attempting to lure any more of his former playing staff to the Granite City. He said: "I'm not going to go back there and start pillaging Motherwell. I have too much respect for what they are trying to do. Stephen Hughes is a different kettle of fish as he is out of contract and available. There are some great players at Motherwell who are going to go on and become even better. But at this moment in time they would be out of our price range."

McGhee will be working within a tight budget during the summer but is hopeful of being able to bring new faces to Pittodrie. The former Wolves, Reading and Leicester boss also said he may have to wait until the January transfer window before he can afford to really compete in the market. This delay may give him time to assess what he already has at the club and allow players to impress. He said: "Any football manager would always want to spend more than he is given. If Real Madrid can pay £80 million for a player then there appears to be no real limit to what can be spent. But in terms of competing with the other SPL clubs the budget is a good budget. This is a club that can attract players. I know in recent years it has been difficult to do that but I think if the team can make it into the Europa League and maybe find a bit of money we can attract a couple of better players at Christmas."

Aberdeen's director of football Willie Miller said McGhee would be supported as he bids to bolster his new team. Miller added: "I think we already have an exciting squad but we have to solidify that. Mark knows what he has to work with in terms of brining in new players. We have invested heavily in youth development in the last five years and we are beginning to see the fruits of that now. Mark is excited at working with the young talent but he also has some finance available to bring in new players as well."

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