Bradford City teenager Kian Scales measures up after debut

The 18-year-old made his full Football League debut for the Bantams on Tuesday night as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Cheltenham Town at Valley Parade. City have been hit hard by injuries this season, giving Scales his opportunity to impress Bradford’s managerial team.

He came off the bench for appearances against Exeter City, Salford and Leyton Orient prior to his first start. The midfielder called his parents after manager Stuart McCall strongly hinted to him that he would be in the starting XI on Tuesday.

“I didn’t think I would be getting in the team at this stage,” he admitted.

“To be getting in the team with all the injuries, it is a good thing for me and I just want to keep making appearances.

“I have been at the club since I was 12, it was always a goal to break into the first team.

“It has been good but I am just trying to take it step by step and doing the simple things right. I want to do the things the fans like; tracking runners, making tackles, running hard and just showing that I care.”

Scales signed his first professional deal with Bradford in the summer.

It was something he had to keep quiet for a number of months, initially being told that he would be offered a senior contract in February. With the League Two campaign called to an early end last term, the midfielder made sure he used the months in lockdown wisely to give himself the best chance of breaking into the senior side.

He added: “I found out in February and when I signed it in the summer, I was buzzing.

“I trained hard in lockdown, everyday I just wanted to get better. I came in as fit as I possibly could, to give myself the best chance really.”

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