Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee will consider whether to offer Maurice Ross a contract next week after the former Rangers full-back impressed in training.

The 28-year-old is training with McGhee's squad at his own request after leaving Turkish club Kocaelispor at the end of last season.

The Dundee-born player is free to join a club immediately and is on track to sign for the Dons, who host Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday.

"At this stage of the season, there's not many good players out of contract who are in a position to be able to sign for clubs," said McGhee.

"Someone as good as Maurice when he comes along, first of all you look at him to see if he's fit.

"We're also seeing what his attitude is like, and what he can bring to us - and he has really looked terrific.

"He'll continue to train next week, and at the beginning of next week we'll start to consider whether there is a role he can play between now and Christmas."

A defender may not seem McGhee's priority, because his side have conceded just once in six league games.

The Dons have scored only once in five, but McGhee is confident his team's attacking play is set to gel for the visit of eighth-placed Hearts.

McGhee said: "I expected Hearts to be one of the pacemakers, and certainly in the top six.

"I think eventually they will re-establish themselves in the top six, and we've got to guard against their surge starting tomorrow.

"But I still think it's about ourselves - if we can gel and score goals, and still be as difficult to beat. I think it's in us."

Meanwhile, McGhee repeated his call for a thorough examination of Scottish football amid the ongoing debate over the Old Firm's future.

The Aberdeen manager again hit out against Celtic and Rangers for talking about leaving the SPL.

"I think it's a ridiculous notion; it's outrageous really that they are even thinking about it," he said.

"What's required is a realignment of the Scottish game. It requires a proper professional audit, by someone of some stature - to look at European football, to look at Ireland, Scandinavia and Russia where they play in the summer.

"(You need) ... to look at the implications of that on gates, TV and advertising revenue and what the supporters want - and make a proper assessment of what we can do to improve the game.

"(You need) ... Celtic and Rangers to be part of that. I think we also have to consider Celtic and Rangers and see what we can do to help them as the two teams that enter the Champions League."