CITY are returning to Scotland for pre-season after a seven-year absence.

Phil Parkinson will take his squad north of the border for two games against opponents that are still to be confirmed.

The Bantams have headed for a week in Ireland for the past three summers but Parkinson feels it is time for somewhere different.

He said: “It’s good to have a change. I went up there to have a look at a couple of places and I’ve found a really good training venue.

“Also, we’ve got a lot of options for games up there against teams in a similar state with their pre-season.

“I don’t like travelling too far in pre-season if it can be helped and you don’t want to go somewhere too warm because it detracts from the quality of training.

“I think going to Scotland for a change will suit us.”

The squad will head up on Sunday, July 12 – the day after their first friendly – and stay for the week. They will be based just outside Glasgow and play two games on the Tuesday and following Saturday.

Stuart McCall was in charge when City last headed to Scotland in 2008. They beat Dundee 1-0 before losing 4-0 at Motherwell, all four goals scored before half-time.

Prior to that, a tour under Nicky Law five years earlier saw the Bantams go down 4-2 to Partick Thistle and 2-0 against Raith.

City have confirmed their traditional pre-season game with Vanarama National League new boys Guiseley will take place at Nethermoor on Tuesday, July 21.

The rest of the schedule is expected to be announced at the start of next week.

Parkinson added: “It will be the same format we always have with about half a dozen games. The only change is that we’re going to Scotland instead of Ireland.”

City’s players are back at Apperley Bridge next week for a test day. Pre-season will begin properly on June 29.