SHAY McCartan has not been put off playing for City after an “in and out” first year.

The striker is currently away with Northern Ireland for two friendlies against England’s World Cup group opponents Panama tomorrow and then Costa Rica.

McCartan is eyeing a second international chance after making his debut for the green and white army against New Zealand last year.

And he believes the experience of a testing season at Valley Parade has made him a stronger player.

McCartan said: “I’ve not played as much as I’d like to and been in and out the team.

“But I’ve learned a lot and it’s helped me. So, I can look forward to next season and trying to get promoted.

“It’s not put me off because it’s a massive club. The expectation is huge and there aren’t many in League One with a fanbase like Bradford’s.

“You have to relish it as a player, although the last few months have been hard.

“The team wasn’t winning and as soon as you’d go a goal down you hear the negative vibe from the fans. That obviously reflects on the players.

“But December, when I first came in, it was lovely. We were winning and there was a great positive atmosphere.

“That’s what you want and strive for as a player. Hopefully next season we can have that for longer.”

McCartan scored back-to-back goals over the New Year weekend in the wins over Oxford and Fleetwood before City’s season caved in.

He scored four in total from 17 starts with a further 11 outings from the bench.

Having arrived with a £200,000 price tag from Accrington last summer, he would have been loaned out on deadline day in January if the Kristian Dennis deal had gone through.

McCartan feels the disappointment from the second half of their campaign will act as a spur when City return for pre-season.

“It’s about how you perform when it’s not going so well,” he added.

“That’s what you reflect on as a player and I’m sure we’ll come back raring to go.

“Maybe it was a case of the club doing really well in the past two seasons and almost expecting it.

“We’ve learned from that now and I don’t think that will happen again.”

Meanwhile, Colin Doyle is set to win his third cap for the Republic of Ireland tonight when they take on France in Paris.

The City keeper, who is currently considering a new deal to stay at the club, is also in Martin O’Neill’s squad to play USA in Dublin on Saturday.