Kevin McDonald has done both Bantam roles in EFL Trophy run

Now he is eyeing the chance to play at Wembley and help them lift the prize for Graham Alexander.

McDonald is expected to start in tomorrow’s semi-final against Wycombe after being on the bench at the weekend.

The Scot is relishing being back in the thick of the action after his stint as caretaker boss earlier in the season.

He was in the temporary hot-seat for the opening group wins over Grimsby and Manchester City under-21s.

McDonald enjoyed the responsibility ahead of Graham Alexander’s appointment and it is a role he would love to move into when the boots are hung up.

But he admitted the trickiest time was the transition back to being a player.

“I was probably more concerned going back into the dressing room and (being with) people I’ve left out the team,” he said. “That was the more awkward part.

“It’s more pressure because you’re actually in control of the ball now, so that’s the difference.

“But I never did feel it overly as a manager and as a player, when you’ve been doing it for so long, it’s second nature.

“I’ll make mistakes every single game but it’s how you go and apply yourself the next time and the time after that.

“The gaffer has come in fresh, he’s got all his ideas and everything he’s done for years.

“That side of it was all right. I was never concerned because that’s what I wanted.

“I wanted the gaffer to come in and take us up the league and look to get promoted. That aim’s not changed for us and I’m sure it’s not changed for him.”

Alexander is monitoring McDonald’s minutes during the hectic spell of games to ensure he can make the most from the midfielder’s experience and composure on the ball.

He is a big player for City but they are wary of overstretching him. McDonald understands the careful approach but feels he is hitting his groove again.

“I always feel all right once I get to a level of fitness and start playing.

“With my age, with the lack of games and what’s gone on with myself, I’m always going to pick up little bits here and there.

Kevin McDonald was in caretaker charge against Grimsby (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“That’s life unfortunately, I’m not 25 anymore and I’ve had a different career path than a lot of people.

“I understand that, the gaffer does and everybody in the building.

“But you get me to a point of peak physical fitness, then I’ll always back myself to do a job however many games I play or come on from the bench.”

McDonald is still taking notes with his future career path in mind and picks up on things that Alexander does in training or games.

“It’s another manager that I can learn from,” he said.

“It’s other styles of play and a lot of things I can pick up on a daily basis.

“I’m sure everybody would-be manager would be the same. There are little things I thought of when I was in the job and the gaffer’s doing now.

“It’s always a learning thing and for me looking forward to potentially doing that longer term.

“The gaffer has been good for the place. I know that and I know it with the other lads.

“Results haven’t been great at times absolutely but on a day-to-day basis, the way the place is has been much better for sure.

“He’s an experienced manager who has got promotions and been successful and will hopefully continue to be. For me, he’s been bang on since he came in.”

City head into the clash with the League One Chairboys on the back of three straight wins – and five games without conceding a goal.

McDonald said: “We know we should be higher in the league. But sometimes these things take time and in football you’ve not got that.

“If we pick up a head of steam, everyone’s looking round the corner and thinking, ‘Bradford are coming.’ That’s the mindset we’ve got to have.”