Bruce is hailed for keeping Egyptian on track

The Egyptian international joined the Tigers permanently during the summer for £2m after impressing on loan at the KC Stadium last season.

For Hull, Elmohamady has been a revelation with his attacking play from wing-back last term playing a huge part in the Yorkshire club’s promotion success.

And this time around, he is one of only two Tigers players – Curtis Davies being the other – to have started all 10 league games.

Asked about the influence of Bruce, who also signed the wideman when in charge of Sunderland, Elmohamady said: “He brought me from Egypt to Sunderland and I played for him in three seasons for 36 games.

“It was fantastic for me. Then, again he brought me from Sunderland to Hull. He is always giving me advice. He gives me advice on life in England.

“The manager is a great man. He gives you confidence and you enjoy your football as a result of that.”

Elmohamady joined City on loan shortly before the closure of the summer transfer window in 2012 and went on to make 41 appearances last term.

To someone who had been largely confined to the bench at the Stadium of Light following Bruce’s sacking and the appointment of Martin O’Neill, the past year has been a welcome change of fortune for someone who had never lost the belief that he could make it in the Premier League.

He said: “Look now where we are. Last year, the manager called me to come on loan and play in the Championship.

“It was important for me to play football again and important for my country for the national team. When you are on the bench, it is no good for a player.

“For me, I like to play every week. I have really enjoyed it here. It is not just the results, every time I play at the KC Stadium, the atmosphere is amazing.”

Another player enjoying a new lease of life in the East Riding is Jake Livermore, who joined Hull from Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal in August.

The midfielder had to sit out City’s recent two meetings with his parent club but was back for the win over Sunderland and admits to being delighted with how things are going.

Livermore said: “I actually feel happier as a person when I am playing week in, week out.

“I feel my performances have got better and I feel fresh at the minute.

“As long as the manager is happy with my performances, it is all good.

“Players go through spells but at the minute I would say I am in decent form and, hopefully, it can continue.”