Norwich City captain Grant Hanley described the club’s return to the Premier League as meaning everything to the squad.
The Canaries kick off the 2021/22 campaign at home to Liverpool on Saturday (5.30pm KO), and Hanley is confident about the team’s chances this season.
“We’re another couple of years more experienced at working with the manager and there are a lot of players still here who were here last time in the Premier League, so I think the lessons we’ve learnt from the past will definitely help us,” he said.
“Ultimately, we’ve got to show belief and be confident in our own ability to compete at the top level.
“I’ve said loads of times what this club means to me and how grateful I am for the opportunity that I’ve been given here. For this club to be back in the Premier League and have an opportunity to play at the top level again means everything to us.
“For all of the squad and all of the staff, it’s really close knit here and now we have to be prepared to give ourselves the best chance to go and compete.”
Asked about how his fellow Scotsman Billy Gilmour has settled into the side, Hanley added that his Euro 2020 compatriot is destined for big things.
“Billy is a good lad, he’s obviously young and a bit daft at times but he’s a great lad and really down to earth,” he said. “He fits into the team ethos and characters we’ve got here, so I think he’s enjoying his time, has settled in really well and gets on well with the lads.
“The Scottish connection gives you that little bit extra in your relationship. He’s a top player who has got the potential to go right to the top in his career, so as a club and as players we’re really happy to have him here.
“The type of player he is and the way the club wants to play, plus the demands that the manager will put on him, he’ll suit it perfectly. It’s up to him now to take that onto the pitch and I’ve got every confidence he’ll do really well for us.
“It’s always great to see young lads doing well and particularly here they get a chance when they’re ready. More often than not, they seem to take it so that’s a big credit to the club. The lads have that temperament where they’re not fazed by anything that’s thrown in front of them.”