Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee has told Davide Grassi to improve his performances if he wants to land a new deal. The 24 year old has slipped down the pecking order at Pittodrie following a string of below-par performances.

The arrival of Jim Paterson on loan from Plymouth has hardly helped as the Italian bids to land a new contract with the Scottish side.

Paterson, though, is unavailable for Saturday's clash with Hearts, giving Grassi an ideal opportunity to prove his worth.

"Davide's chances of being awarded a new contract stalled a little in recent weeks," McGhee told the Daily Record.

"He lost a bit of form which is why he hasn't been involved.

"But if we didn't think he had a chance of winning a longer deal we wouldn't have taken him to Pittodrie in the first place.

"He's back by default and it's up to him to prove he is worth keeping in the team."