Bradford City defender Anthony O'Connor on his Bantams future

In the here and now, the Irishman is firmly focused on ensuring that the club finish off a roller-coaster League Two season with some positivism and momentum ahead of the 2021-22 season.

But when questioned on his future, the former Aberdeen player, 28, whose three-year deal expires in June, acknowledges he is playing to earn a new deal and is hoping that his performances speak for themselves between now and the rest of the season.

O’Connor said: “It is business as usual. I want to keep playing well and to the standards I set myself - ok, I am not going to be a nine or eight out of ten every week, but I try and be as consistent as I can and always come off the pitch and say: ‘I gave it everything there.’

“I know some weeks it is not going to be like that and some weeks, you will have poor games, but it is important you keep those games to a minimum and be as consistent as you can.

“I keep telling myself that if I play as well as I can and keep consistent, that (contractual situation) will take care of itself.

“With those situations like contracts, I try not to worry too much about that and let other things get in my head to affect my performances.

"I just think about playing well myself.

“I have enjoyed my time at Bradford and when the conversation does come up whether the club wants me to stay and the manager sits down with me and has the conversation and if they would me to stay and see me a big part of the club going forward, I’d be more than happy to stay.

“I have settled in the area and have bought my first house in Leeds and my wife and kids love it and I only live ten minutes from the training ground. It is a great club to be at and a sleeping giant.

“If we can just get out of this league, I can really see the club taking off and I’d really like to be part of that.

“But as of now, it is literally putting as many points on the board between now and the end of the season and seeing where we are.”