Bruce keeping feet on the ground

29 April 2015 06:16

Hull boss Steve Bruce warned his side not to get carried away despite a 1-0 win over Liverpool which moved them to the brink of Barclays Premier League safety.

Michael Dawson's 36th-minute header sent the Tigers four points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining - three of which are back at the KC Stadium.

But despite a second straight win which looks to have turned his side's season around, Bruce made it clear the survival mission is far from completed.

Bruce said: "You can't bring them down and I didn't want to but we will certainly remind them tomorrow that it's not job done.

"We've got to make sure that resilience which we've found stays with us for the next four games because 34 points is not usually enough.

"Make no mistake - we're in a better position than we were four days ago and we're rightly pleased but now we've got to concentrate on Arsenal who are coming up on Monday night."

Despite many tipping the Tigers for the drop after a run of six games without a win dumped them in the bottom three, Bruce maintained he never doubted his side could claw their way towards safety.

He added: "I never really doubted the character of the players. We've had a lot to put up with this year with injuries and conceding in the last minute, but we are desperate to stay in the Premier League and we have shown that in our last couple of performances."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had no complaints after a lackadaisical performance for his side which effectively ends their slim chances of securing a Champions League qualification spot.

But despite a dismal run of results including being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa at the semi-final stage, Rodgers is adamant he will not allow the season to peter out.

Rodgers said: "I spoke to the players at the end and I told them that we have an obligation to fight right to the end of the season.

"We wanted to be in that top four but it was always going to be difficult for us with the way our season mapped itself out. But we are looking to get momentum to take us through to next season.

"We didn't look like scoring - we had enough of the ball but we never really threatened and we were disappointed with the goal we conceded.

"The players put great energy into the game and they worked very hard but their struggles tonight were the same as they have been for a great part of the season in terms of creativity and scoring goals."

Meanwhile, Rodgers jumped to the defence of beleaguered striker Mario Balotelli who was substituted midway through the second half after another ineffectual performance.

Rodgers inisisted: "Mario is doing his best - he's come off tonight with a foot injury. I think it's clear over the course of the season, not just in this game, that he's struggling.

"But Mario has got a few years left on his contract and it is fair to say that every single player here is playing for his future."

Source: PA