Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was delighted to complete his first major piece of business for next season by keeping Shay Logan at the club.
The right back will remain with the Dons until 2018 – ending speculation linking him with a return to England.
But McInnes says he still has plenty of work to do to get his squad ready for next season when Rangers will return to the top flight.
He said: “I’m delighted. It’s the first piece of business in terms of planning for next season.
“We would have liked it to have been resolved earlier and had other alternatives but I was always encouraged by the fact he enjoys being here.
“He has made sacrifices over the two-and-a-half years but the fact he wants to commit to a longer deal and stay at Aberdeen is brilliant. Once he made the decision to stay, the contract was done within a day.
“It’s the first part of re-building for next season. We want to bring in a few signings this summer and he is the first over the line.
“We’ve got to be ready for any challenge, regardless of what other clubs are doing.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re doing our best in terms of effort and best practice and there comes a time when finances play a huge part in meeting that challenge head on.
“We’re hoping we can be ready for that as a club by bringing in good players to help us become better and more competitive.
“I don’t expect us to roll over, regardless who is in the league.
“We’ve got to show what we’re all about as a team over the course of a season. We must make good decisions, be smart with our work and meet that challenge.”
The Dons, meanwhile, will welcome back top goalscorer Adam Rooney, who has been out with a thigh tear, for tomorrow’s match against Motherwell but midfielder Peter Pawlett won’t feature again this season.
Rooney has not played for the Dons since a 3-1 defeat by Caley Thistle in February, while Pawlett broke an arm playing against Dundee United last month.
Defender Ash Taylor will also return to the team after missing last Friday’s 3-0 defeat by St Johnstone because of a thigh injury.
McInnes added: “We missed Ash last week. He has been a mainstay and gives the side real presence.
“Adam has been back training this week, too, although it’s important we don’t expect too much from him too soon. He is such a reliable player for us, so to have him out for a couple of months was a huge loss.”