Ambitious Hartley wants promotion

Hartley played in the Champions League during his spell at Celtic

Bristol City midfielder Paul Hartley says he is ready to lead the club into the Premier League.

The 32-year-old Scotland international will add experience to a side which has lost Michael McIndoe and Dele Adebola.

He told BBC Radio Bristol: "It's a fairly young squad so if I can help and improve them that's great.

"It's going to be a great challenge because it's a very competitive league. The club's very ambitious and the place we want to be is the Premier League."

"When you become an international and play at a club like Celtic, people look up to you for guidance on and off the pitch."

Hartley has been joined at City by fellow Scot David Clarkson. Last season the two were playing against each other in the Scottish Premier League, but they have also been team-mates for their country.

There's no way I will decide to retire from international football. I came in at a late age and I want to play as long as I can

Bristol City and Scotland's Paul Hartley

"He's a very intelligent player. He drops off, and threads nice passes through. He doesn't play through the middle, sometimes he comes in from the left or plays just behind the front, but he has a knack of scoring goals," Hartley said of the forward.

Hartley, Clarkson and defender Jamie McAllister will link up with the Scotland squad after Saturday's game with Preston and the midfielder is keen to add to his 22 caps during his time in England.

"There's no way I will decide to retire from international football. I came in at a late age and I want to play as long as I can," he said.