When Stephen Wright was given the chance to move south of the border last summer, it offered the full back the chance to realise his ambition of playing in English football

The 27-year-old defender had spent all his career in Scotland with Aberdeen and Rangers when Paul Jewell made Wright his second close season signing for Bradford City.

Wright was desperate to kick-start his career after a horrendous time with injuries and as he prepares for tomorrow's clash with promotion rivals Watford, he says it is a decision he has never regretted.

"Coming to England has been like a breath of fresh air for me. It was always an ambition of mine to come south.

"You play the same teams four times per season back home and you do get fed up with the same old faces. It has been a big difference but I feel I have adapted well. Facing new players and playing at new stadiums has been a big motivation for me.

"The standard of football is very good. I would say Rangers and Celtic are on a par with the Premiership teams. And then most of the rest such as Aberdeen and Hearts would be capable of doing well at First Division level," he said.

Wright started the season with a niggly injury which he shook off before suffering another blow when he was carried off during the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in September.

He was out of action for a couple of months before returning in the 1-0 victory over Oxford and tomorrow's clash with Watford will be his 12th consecutive game.

Wright's home life has also become much more hectic since arriving in West Yorkshire with the arrival of twins Emily and Jake.

However the defender says he would not have it any other way.

"It is pretty hectic and they certainly keep me busy. They behave themselves and the only problem is we are away from our families. But there are a few of the lads living in Harrogate so my wife has good friends around her.

"On the football side, it is good for me to be back in the team. It was great to get my chance against Oxford the week after the disappointing defeat against QPR.

"Last week we put in a great performance at Birmingham but we just couldn't get the result we deserved. It showed how close the division is.

"When I got the injury I suppose I did think that luck wasn't on my side. What you need is a bit of luck on your side and keep persevering away in the hope that everything will come right."

Wright spent several seasons with City skipper Stuart McCall when the pair played for Rangers and saw how inspirational he can be around a club.

And he has not been surprised by the amazing impact McCall has had since returning to Valley Parade.

"Stuart is a very infectious player and I knew what he was capable of. It has not surprised me how well he has done.

"It doesn't matter who you speak to, they will all tell you he has always been the same. Rangers is, of course, a bigger club but Stuart was the same there - helping everyone along and geeing everyone up on the field.

"The team was full of stars but Stuart was exactly the same character."

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