STEVE Bruce hopes the emerging talents of Andrew Robertson and Tom Ince can take Hull City to new heights in the Premier League this season.
Robertson made an impressive top-flight debut for the Tigers in their 1-0 win at QPR, coming up with a key goal-line clearance and some neat attacking play, just two years after plying his trade as a part-timer at Queen's Park.
Much like City, Ince started quietly at Loftus Road before springing to life in a second half where he could have opened his account had he not fluffed a one-on-one with QPR keeper Robert Green.
Luckily, the Tigers had already got a foothold in the game through James Chester's header in the 52nd minute and they held on to win after weathering a late onslaught.
However, the application of the duo on their full league debuts impressed Bruce, particularly Robertson who looked calm and composed in attack and unruffled in defence following his move from Dundee United.
"He is only 20 years old and two years ago he was playing for Queen's Park, so to come and play in the Premier League, I thought he was excellent," said the City boss.
"He came up with a big goal-line clearance and did very well.
"We have made a conscious effort to bring in some good young players.
"Tom is a good player. He could have scored two if he was a bit more clinical, but he is only a young player and we have to make allowances. But he certainly has all the attributes to be a very good player for us."
In a game where the scoreline did not reflect the number of key incidents, City saw their appeals for a penalty turned down when Nikica Jelavic was shoved in the back during the first half. With five minutes left to play, they then felt even more aggrieved when a spot-kick was given against Chester for a handball in the box which looked to be accidental.
Perplexed by the decisions of referee Craig Pawson, Bruce believes it is the interpretation of the rules which needs to be addressed before it ends up proving costly.
Bruce said: "He's got his hand by his side, the ball is a yard away and when the fella hits it, it is probably travelling at 50 miles per hour. What is he supposed to do?
"We need to stop all this nonsense and start having a bit of common sense.
"Twenty years ago, back in my day, that would never have been a penalty. There's been no amendments to the rules, apart from if you come running out and acting like a goalkeeper, but big games could be decided by something like that. That would have been unfair and unjust on Chester, who had an outstanding game.
"The one in the first half on Jelavic looked far more of a penalty, but there we have it."
