CITY must not get sucked in to the Stuart McCall sideshow on Saturday, David Hopkin has warned.

McCall’s return to Valley Parade for the first time since his sacking will add an extra dimension to the relegation tussle with struggling Scunthorpe.

City are aiming to make it back-to-back home wins which could potentially lift them out of League One’s relegation zone for Christmas.

And Hopkin insists they cannot be distracted by the huge ovation that McCall will get from the home fans.

He said: “Everybody knows Stuart is a legend at Bradford. Nobody is under illusions, he’s going to get a great reception on Saturday, which he thoroughly deserves.

“We just need to make sure that we don’t play the occasion and keep playing football.

“We know it’s another tough game. The fans are going to be towards Stuart and Kenny (Black).

“We have to be fully focused and professional and make sure we get the crowd back on our side as soon as the game starts.

“It will make for a good atmosphere from start to finish. But the whole occasion will die out quite quickly.

“The Bradford fans will give Stuart a fantastic reception and I can understand that.

“But after that I’m sure they will want to see Bradford City win the game.

“We just need to make sure we are prepared properly both mentally and physically. Hopefully we can then go on and put in the same level of performance we have done over the past few weeks.”

After beating Walsall 4-0, City’s biggest win since McCall was in charge, Hopkin’s side go into the game in the unusual position of favourites. Scunthorpe have lost five in a row to sit just three points above them.

But Hopkin and his coaching staff are maintaining the same intensity in training to ensure the squad’s focus does not falter following last week’s confidence-boosting victory.

“You’ve got to keep the players tuned in,” he added. “It’s not going to happen in a week.

“We need to make sure we’re still working the same in May. That’s what we’re going to have to do.

“Hopefully everyone will stay positive. I thought the fans were fantastic again last Saturday.

“They are starting to see a team now that is going to be prepared to work. They know the standards now set at the club and what you must do just to get into the 18.

“Everybody is buying into the concept of how I want to play. But there’s a long way to go.”