Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee admits he desperately needs to strengthen his squad following the 5-1 home defeat to Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League. McGhee said: "There is money to spend on the squad - money that I was promised when I came here. I hope with that money to bring in three players, maybe even a fourth on a loan deal.

"Reda Johnson was one player I wanted and I possibly dwelt on that one too long.

"We need to get players in before the Celtic game but we have the money to do it."

However, the Aberdeen boss concedes he is still struggling to compete financially with English clubs: "The financial situation in the game is desperate in that bringing in a player from the English League One, let alone the Championship, is just impossible for us.

"We are looking for nuggets from abroad, loans, free young players from down south and obviously other leagues in this country.

"I had experiences at Motherwell when I lost out to Dundee and St Johnstone for Livingston players - even they were able to outbid us.

"It isn't just Aberdeen feeling the pinch. We have to concede that the level of player we are going to be able to bring in, unless we get really lucky, is probably not going to be good enough at this level in Europe."