Wednesday 29 October 2014 17:18, UK
Alex Bruce admits he snubbed offers to leave Hull City over the summer and is now targeting a new contract.
Despite being the manager’s son at the KC Stadium, Bruce has found himself slipping down the defensive pecking order.
The arrival of Michael Dawson from Tottenham Hotspur has only added to the competition for places at centre-half.
There were offers (to leave) but I wanted to stay. I have worked a long time to get into the Premier League and I didn’t want to give it up.
Bruce, though, is determined to prove that he is deserving of a regular role at a Premier League club and has no regrets at having turned down opportunities to move on.
He told the Hull Daily Mail: “There were offers (to leave) but I wanted to stay. I have worked a long time to get into the Premier League and I didn’t want to give it up.
“I realise a lot of people out there will say, ‘He’s only in the Premier League because of his dad’. But I have a thick skin when it comes to comments like that.
“I like to think those who have watched me play will say I am there on merit and can hold my own. If I can keep playing like I did at Liverpool then, hopefully, I can keep the shirt on merit.
“That is always my target. When the time is right and I think, ‘I am not pulling my weight here’ then, of course, I will be the first to walk away.
“But I am happy here. I feel I have played the best football of my career here. We have been successful and I don’t see any reason why I should leave.”
Bruce has the remainder of the season to prove that he is worth keeping on, with the 30-year-old having entered the final year of his current contract.
He added: “I have had to be patient and had to wait for a chance. But that is the same for all Premier League players. I only have a few months left on my contract but would love to stay.
“We will have to wait and see. I don’t know when anything might happen. I will just sit and wait to see if the club think I merit a new deal. It is out of my hands.”
