DAVID BATES believes stepping out of his comfort zone in Germany will take his game to another level this season.

The defender quit Rangers at the end of the campaign to join Hamburger SV.

Bates has impressed this summer and is preparing for a Bundesliga II campaign this term.

“The German league is a completely different level,” he told HSV.de.

“Everything is top-level stuff here – from the youth teams to the national team, even if you’re out of the World Cup now.

“I told myself that this is best for my development.

“ I wanted to leave my comfort zone and come over here.

“I want to hep the team and the club to achieve their goals. I already can’t wait for the games in the Volksparkstadion.”