CAMMY BELL admits he is desperate to put a frustrating year behind him by helping Partick Thistle to win promotion back to the Premiership.
The 31-year-old has joined the Jags on a two-year deal after playing just twice last season.
The former Rangers and Dundee United keeper re-joined Kilmarnock last summer but left in January – just months into a two-year contract – after failing to make a single appearance for his first senior club.
The Scotland cap then penned a short-term agreement with Hibernian but found Ofir Marciano difficult to dislodge between the sticks at Easter Road.
He did impress in his two appearances, first as a substitute after Marciano was sent-off against St Johnstone in March and then in the following game when the Israeli was suspended.
However, he is now eager to play more than a bit-part role at Firhill after joining Morton defender Tam O’Ware in moving to the club in the wake of relegation to the Championship.
He said: “Last season didn’t work out how I wanted it to, but that’s football.
“This season, I’m looking to play every game and really show what I can do again.
“I felt as if I had a good season at Dundee United the year before. I took the chance to move and it didn’t work out.
“But I’m delighted to be here and at such a huge club, and a club that really is going in the right direction.
TOP LEVEL
“Hopefully I can be a part of a squad of players that can bring the club back up to the Premiership.
“I want to play every game and push on this season, and really prove I can get back to the top level where I have been, and hopefully that’s with Partick Thistle.”
Bell has played in the Championship with Rangers and Dundee United in recent seasons, and previously with Queen of the South.
And, with Ross County also dropping down and United, Inverness Caley Thistle, Dunfermline and Falkirk still there, he is fully aware how difficult a task Thistle face next term.
He told Jagzone: “It’s going to be a tough league, it always is in the Championship; I’ve played there with a couple of different teams myself.
“So, I know what to expect and I’m sure the manager will drill into the boys what to expect in this league.
“It’s one of these challenges that everybody’s got to look forward to, and hopefully we can embrace it and hopefully it can be a successful season for Partick Thistle.”
