Alex Bruce believes the pressure of playing for Leeds United has had a negative influence on recent results, but still backs his former club to return to the Premier League.
The 35-year-old is a free agent after leaving Kilmarnock in January, and reminisced on his time at Elland Road between 2010 and 2012.
He made 33 appearances in a two-year spell with the club, having originally joined from Ipswich Town. He joined his father Steve Bruce in the summer of 2012, having fallen out of favour with then-Leeds boss Neil Warnock.
“I really enjoyed playing for Leeds,” he told Talksport, responding to a question about where he was happiest in his career.
“It was a little bit of turmoil at the end, behind the scenes. There was a change of ownership with Ken Bates and things like that. That was a tough time for the club.”
Bruce was then asked about how he views things this season, and whether they’ll go up this season.
Leeds remain second, having occupied the top two spots since October, but their automatic promotion spot came under pressure after a run of just two wins, and five defeats, from mid-December to mid-February.
“They’re a great club to play for, it tests you with the pressure that it brings,” he said.
“You can see that now with some of the results. I think they’ll have enough to go up this season, however.
“I do believe they’re a Premier League club, Leeds United should be in the Premier League.
“The result against on Saturday [the 1-0 win over Bristol City] was huge, to go back to Elland Road and get three points. I saw them play against Brentford and they played well, responded well to going 1-0 down.”
