tigers chief expecting a
hot reception

STEVE BRUCE may be steeling himself for a rough reception today but the Hull City chief admits to relishing the start of the run-in.

The Tigers travel to Huddersfield Town looking to strengthen their push for automatic promotion.

Bruce, a former manager of the Terriers, knows three points from the tea-time trip to his old club would be a massive boost ahead of Tuesday’s showdown with promotion rivals Watford.

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He said: “I am looking forward to the run-in, I really, really am. Everyone gets a little bit nervous and edgy at this time of year – you only have to look at the results two weeks ago (when the Tigers were one of four teams in the top five to lose) – and you have got to try and play the game.

“It is my job to make sure we’re ready for the challenge but also not to get people het up where you’re too anxious to play football.

“We have played some wonderful stuff this year and we know we’re capable. But now it is all to play for.

“We know Huddersfield is a big game and no one will be looking beyond it. It will be a tough game.

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“I believe it will be my first time back there (since being Huddersfield manager) and I’m not sure they like me too much. It won’t be a great reception, I am sure, but to me that is all in the past.”

By the time the game kicks off, Hull will know how all their rivals have fared and Bruce, promoted from the second tier when manager of Birmingham City, admits to loving this time of year.

“I know what it takes. Sometimes you need the bounce of a ball or a bit of luck.

“Past experience can help you, of course, but I know that you always need that little bit of fortune to go your way. When I was at Birmingham, I can remember my big reserve goalkeeper saving a last-minute penalty against Wolves that won us the game 3-2.

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“I knew then that it was maybe our turn. You need those little things to go your way and, hopefully, we get one or two of those during the last eight games.

“Luck certainly abandoned us against Nottingham Forest (when Hull lost 2-1 in their last outing).”

Today, Bruce goes head-to-head as a manager with former Manchester United team-mate Mark Robins.

The Hull chief added: “He was a great finisher during his playing days, a really good poacher.

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“He maybe didn’t achieve all that he would have wanted but there was always a steely determination about him.

“I am not surprised he went into management because of that character and he has done well everywhere he has gone. Mark did well at Rotherham, Barnsley and, in very difficult circumstances, at Coventry. He has proved himself to be a very astute young manager and I can’t see Huddersfield getting sucked into trouble under him.”