Bristol City midfielder Paul Hartley has a dual aim as he heads into 2010 - to help the Robins fly up to the Premier League and to claim a place in the Scotland squad now under the charge of his former Heart of Midlothian Manager Craig Levein. Hartley was signed by Levein from St Johnstone in 2003, the manager subsequently moving on to Leicester City then heading back to Scotland and - after managing Dundee United for three years - taking over as the national team boss last month. Hartley meanwhile switched to Celtic in a £1.1million move in January 2007, following which he twice helped the Bhoys win the Scottish Premier League and also collected winners' medals in both the Scottish FA and League Cups. Now the 33-year-old midfield man, after leaving Celtic Park for Ashton Gate last summer, is bringing all of his guile and experience to Bristol City's promotion bid while looking to add to his 22 international caps. Ahead of City's Coca-Cola Championship game at Crystal Palace on Saturday the Robins are lying 12th in the table, five points below the Play-Off places - but with almost half the season remaining, says Hartley, promotion is still a real possibility. "We've got 22 games left," he pointed out, "and if we can get a run going there's every chance of ending up in the Play-Offs. If we can stop conceding late goals and start converting draws into wins, we can do it."
Football League website

Gary Johnson has accused Crystal Palace of disrespecting Bristol City following the late postponement of the clash between the two clubs. The Robins travelled to south London on the back of assurances that the game would beat the adverse weather conditions, only to discover en route that the match had to be called off after the Selhurst Park pitch failed a pitch inspection. "I feel all parties disrespected us by leaving the decision until as late as possible on Friday," Johnson said.
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