Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee made Paul Hartley his club captain moments after the Scotland midfielder signed for the Dons on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old completed his switch to Pittodrie yesterday after ending a one-year stay with Bristol City which proved happier on the park than off it. Hartley was keen to return to Scotland and McGhee moved in after his expected Hearts comeback fell through.
"He'll be the club captain," McGhee told RedTV. "He'll be a brilliant example to the young players like Peter Pawlett and Fraser Fyvie. He could well be the making of them."
He added: "Paul will be a bit of a policeman in the dressing room and he carries that authority and respect."
McGhee feels Hartley will restore some missing pride to his team and added: "The demands he'll make on other players - if a young player doesn't do things on the pitch he will recognise that.
"You can't always get the message across from the touchline - he'll make them a better player."
Former Charlton and Wales Under-21 left-back Grant Basey looks set to be Aberdeen's seventh signing this summer after a deal for ex-Huddersfield defender Robbie Williams failed to materialise.
"We made Williams an offer and they have not responded," McGhee said.
"That was several days ago. I'm disappointed because he's a good player.
"But Grant is younger and he's here - he wants to come to Aberdeen. So we're looking at what we can offer him."
Source: PA
