Scott Brown let his head rule his love of Hearts by opting to head south for Valley Parade.

The 16-year-old midfielder has belied his tender age during pre-season and hopes are understandably high within the club.

Brown has not looked out of place alongside far more experienced players on the training pitch and in the friendlies. The plaudits that accompanied his arrival seem to be well placed.

Like fellow Scots Mark Stewart and Chris Mitchell, Brown’s sights were set on a move south of the border – even though that has meant turning his back on his boyhood club.

Brown is an ardent “Jambo” but resisted the temptation to chase a chance with Hearts to join the exodus for the Bantams. And he is convinced that was the right decision.

He said: “I’m a big Hearts supporter and they were having a look at me but as soon as I heard that an English club were interested then I preferred to come down here and play.

“I was looking to come to England. Compared to the Scottish League, everything’s just so much bigger here.

“You just need to look at the crowds that Bradford get. When you look at the stadium, it’s something special to be here – I still don’t think it has sunk in yet.”

Brown may be in awe of the surroundings but he has made the transition from Scottish schoolboy to young English professional look ridiculously smooth.

“I was nervous at first but you soon forget about it. I came down on trial but it only took two days to make up my mind. I knew straight away really that I wanted to play here.

“Obviously it’s a big thing moving away from home so young but I’ve coped with it pretty well. You’re a bit worried at first but you need to forget about that and you’re always busy throughout the day.”

Brown is not easily fazed – after all, he made his senior debut in a pre-season friendly with Clyde last year at 15. A strapping six-footer, he looks in the Tom Huddlestone mould and can take the whacks that come with the territory in first-team football.

“I just look to play my normal game and I think I’m coping well. I’ve worked hard on my fitness throughout the summer before I came here so it’s paid off.

“Of course it’s a bit of a step-up but I’m enjoying it. Pre-season is hard work but it’s fun and the other lads have been really welcoming.

“Everybody’s wishing me good luck every day and all my mates back home are really pleased for me. They are all planning to come down and visit.”

Brown is keen to take on the playmaker role in midfield, taking the ball off the back four and looking for that pass to release his team-mates.

While signed with a view towards City’s development squad, he is eyeing the opportunity of breaking into Peter Jackson’s starting line-up for the real thing.

He said: “There is plenty of time to prove yourself in pre-season and I’m just trying to push all the way. When you see games coming up like Leeds in the cup then you want to be in the first team.”