Bradford City v Rotherham United: Jackson’s focus on keeping City out of danger

For the 49-year-old, however, that short stroll along the front of the main stand will take on a whole new dimension as he prepares to take charge of Bradford City for the first time.

Jackson, who made more than 350 appearances for the Bantams in two spells as a player, admits it will be a proud moment and one that compares with anything that has gone before in a football career that began with his home-town club almost 35 years ago.

“Walking out is going to be a very emotional moment in my life,” he said to the Yorkshire Post ahead of his first home game as City’s interim manager.

“Being a former player and captain of this club and what we went through during those times, it can’t be any other way.

“Personally speaking, it will compare with anything else I have done in my career.

“All my family will be here so I am sure you can imagine that it is going to be an immensely proud moment to walk out as Bradford City manager.

“What I will have to do, though, is put how I feel emotionally to one side as the key (tonight) is the team winning and earning three points. Nothing else matters.”

A determination to ensure the focus is on the pitch tonight against Rotherham United is both understandable and practical.

Jackson knows as much as anyone the importance of getting a positive result from the Yorkshire derby as the club continue their search for a permanent successor to Peter Taylor.

Appointed initially for last Saturday’s trip to Gillingham and the visit of Rotherham, his reign seems set to be extended at least beyond the weekend trip to Morecambe due to joint chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn being determined to get the right man.

City are understood to have spoken to a couple of candidates already with former Hibernian manager John Hughes among those interesting the board.

More interviews are planned in the coming days and Jackson recognises his best hope of landing the job on a permanent basis is by kick-starting an on-field revival.

The City chief said: “These games are, effectively, my interview. I have only been here seven days but I feel to be stamping my authority on the club.

“This is a big challenge but one that can be achieved. This is a club that should be at the top end of the table.

“We were firm favourites to go up before the season and rightly so. We have under-achieved as a group.

“Hopefully, we can turn those fortunes round. It won’t be easy but we need wins quickly.”

As part of his attempts to help City up the table, Jackson plans to bring in a new assistant to work alongside him.

It is a move that suggests he could be in for an extended stay in charge at Valley Parade, though the man himself insists too much should not be read into the impending appointment.

Jackson, whose side are six points clear of the relegation zone, said: “He will come in on Wednesday. It is all sorted out but we will wait until after the Rotherham game to make an announcement. I am looking forward to working with him.

“Basically, he will here as long as I am. Everyone has been excellent behind the scenes and up front with me. I know the score.

“Hopefully, I can be manager until the end of the season but that will be determined by what happens on the field.

“If I lose six on the bounce, I won’t be manager until the end of the season that is for sure.

“We are taking things week by week and on a match-by-match basis. I am under no illusions about that.

“It is in my hands. Results are the key. Things can improve off the field but it is what happens on it that matters.”

Jackson’s first game in charge of City ended in a 2-0 defeat to promotion-chasing Gillingham, who are in the final play-off position, three points behind fourth-placed Rotherham.

The result may have been disappointing but, to someone who had been out of the game since leaving Lincoln City 18 months earlier, just being back in the dugout was enjoyable.

He said: “It was wonderful. I was carrying on as usual, taking my coat off and then putting it back on. I was also threatened with being sent to the stand at one stage.

“I really hadn’t realised how much I missed being a manager, whether it be the emotions you go through in a game through to the build-up.

“I can’t wait for the Rotherham game. Me and Ronnie Moore go back years and years. He was a centre-forward for Rotherham and I was centre-half for Bradford.

“He never scored against me. That’s how I remember it anyway, Ronnie may claim different.”

As a manager, Jackson boasts an enviable record at Valley Parade with four wins and two draws from eight visits with Huddersfield Town and Lincoln.

“It is a decent record and if I can maintain that, I’ll do all right,” smiled City’s interim chief.

Jon Worthington is a doubt after having seven stitches in a head wound on Saturday.

Millwall have signed Tottenham winger Andros Townsend on loan until the end of the season.