Source: Team_Talk
Hartley: City can make top flight
The 32-year-old swapped the SPL for an English return this summer after being signed on a free transfer following the conclusion of his Celtic deal.
Hartley does not see swapping the Bhoys for Ashton Gate as a step down in his career as Gary Johnson's side are ambitious and targeting promotion.
Although the experienced midfielder knows competition for the top two automatic promotion places is fierce, he sees no reason why City cannot improve on their 10th place finish last time around.
"You have to look at the last few seasons it's a very ambitious club," he told Sky Sports News. "They were very unlucky to lose out to Hull in the play-offs two years ago.
"Coming here it's a fresh challenge for me. The club's very ambitious and everyone's pulling in the same direction, which is the Premier League where everybody wants to play.
"I wouldn't say it's a step down. It's a great challenge for me. We want to get to that next level, which is the Premier League.
"It's the biggest league in the world and hopefully we can do
that. The club are ambitious, the manager and the players. Hopefully we can take the club to the next level.
"You have to look to the teams that were relegated last year, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and West Brom. People will say they are the favourites.
"There are 10 or so teams that feel they can get the top two sports and we're no different. We feel we've got a very good squad here that can challenge."
