Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee is keen to make Maurice Ross' stay at Pittodrie a lengthy one after describing the signing as a "coup" for the Dons.

The former Rangers full-back has received international clearance after a signing a deal until January.

Ross was available for free after leaving Turkish club Kocaelispor in May and McGhee could hand him a debut in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash with Dundee United at Pittodrie.

Both manager and player are excited about the arrangement, although Ross is not looking beyond his current deal.

"I would hope that first of all he will persuade us that we should be desperate to keep him in January," McGhee said.

"Maurice's ideas about where he wants to play kind of lies abroad and, if that's what happens, then that's fine.

"If we can benefit from him in the meantime then that's great and if we can keep him longer then that would be fabulous, particularly if he does well."

Ross becomes McGhee's fourth signing after back-up goalkeeper Stuart Nelson and defenders Davide Grassi and Jerel Ifil, who may return from a hamstring injury against United.

"He will improve the team and he is the type I'd have liked to have brought in over the summer," McGhee added.

"The fact we've been able to bring him in at this stage is great but it is a little bit fortuitous that financially it is a deal we can afford.

"We couldn't have afforded a player of his quality over the summer and it is a bit of a coup for us we managed to get him."

Ross, who went to Turkey via Norwegian side Viking following short spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves and Millwall, refused to be drawn on his longer-term future.

"It's been a whirlwind so I have not had time to think about stuff like that," the 28-year-old said.

"I just have to show I can still play a bit and do the business for a manager who has given me the opportunity to play again and prove myself.

"I'm really excited. I came up last week and was allowed to use the facilities and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the training and how professional it is.

"I want to play every week and take it from there. I'm not going to say 'I'm going to do this, that and the other'. I just want to get stuck into it again."

Ross, who won the last of his 13 Scotland caps in the 6-0 defeat by Holland in 2003, believes he is fit enough to step in against United after training with their city neighbours Dundee since July.

He could face gym partner Mark Fotheringham, who has signed a short-term deal at Tannadice as he awaits his January move to Anorthosis Famagusta.

"We have been keeping each other going in the gym, working each other really hard," Ross said.

"Because my fitness is a decent standard, I think I can go in as soon as possible."