Hartson's ambition burns bright for his new club

"My dream is to play Premiership football again, I'm only 31 and this club can get there," he told BBC Sport.

"I've had a wonderful start. I know there's a long way to go, but this is a great club with so much ambition.

"I needed this challenge after five fantastic years with Celtic. When I met (Baggies manager) Bryan Robson about the move he had so much ambition."

Hartson says that Robson is one of his childhood heroes and that "I don't hear anyone say a bad word about him".

I'm a Swansea boy and a Swansea City fan, so I'm not expecting a good reception Hartson on Tuesday's game at Cardiff

Although that may come as a surprise to Hartson's former Wales colleagues Jason Koumas and Robert Earnshaw - who have had high-profile falling-outs with the ex-England midfielder - the mutual appreciation seems reciprocated.

"I'm sure the fans are going to take to John," said Robson after the Hull win.

"He leads the line well and is a much more clever player than people give him credit for, the fans are going to see a really good centre forward."

Hartson's next target is a trip to Wales, with the Baggies facing Cardiff at Ninian Park on Tuesday.

"I'm a Swansea boy and a Swansea City fan, so I'm not expecting a good reception," said the former Luton, Wimbledon, Arsenal and Celtic front man.

"It would be nice if I didn't get a terrible time, but I've been to Northern Ireland and Ibrox and had 50,000 people calling me this and that.