Black Cat Russell wants a new start

By Andrew Moir

Published:

INTERNATIONAL CLASS: The Sunderland defender hopes to feature for Scotland against the Czech Republic on Friday evening.

HAPPY DAYS: Russell is unveiled as a Sunderland player last summer.

LOAN: Russell Anderson spent the latter part of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle.

IN CHARGE: Sunderland manager Roy Keane.

RUSSELL Anderson today revealed he’s heading back to Sunderland in a bid to make it in the Premier League.

The former Dons skipper has suffered a frustrating spell since his £1million move from Aberdeen to the Black Cats last June.

Anderson, who is in the Scotland squad for Friday’s friendly with the Czech Republic said: “This is going to be a fresh start for me at Sunderland.”

Anderson spent the final weeks of last season on loan at Plymouth and manager Paul Sturrock may try to make the switch permanent. After impressing for Plymouth, Anderson will return to the Stadium of Light on July 11 with renewed vigour.

“I’d love to get a real shot at things with Sunderland and it would be great to get an opportunity during pre-season,” said former Aberdeen captain Anderson.

“Plymouth said they were going to make a bid for me but whether they have or not I don’t know.

“I enjoyed my loan spell with them and they seemed to enjoy having me as they said they wanted to make the move permanent.

“But as it stands I’m a Sunderland player and I don’t know if they are prepared to let me go.

“So I’m planning to return for pre-season in July and I’m just hoping for a chance.

“A lot will also depend on the players that the manager signs.

“He says he wants to strengthen as he doesn’t fancy being in another relegation battle, but I just want a chance.”

Anderson is hoping to win his 12th Scotland cap in Prague on Friday.

He’d love nothing more than the chance to impress Scots boss George Burley.

However, his main priority is to convince Sunderland boss Roy Keane he deserves a role in his defence.

Despite having to deal with injury heartache and an extended spell out of the side Anderson doesn’t regret quitting the Dons last year.

He added: “Moving to Sunderland was the right move for me at the right time in my career.

“It was also the right thing for Aberdeen as they received a healthy transfer fee which was pleasing.

“Things might not have worked out as I would have hoped for in the first 12 months.

“I suffered an injury quite early in my Sunderland career which didn’t help me at the beginning.

“But had I turned down the opportunity to move on then I would always have been left thinking what might have been.

“I’ve still got another two years left on my Sunderland contract so I still have enough time to make an impression.

“Who knows what could happen in the future but I’ll be reporting back for pre-season determined to do my best to show the manager I’m ready.”