Teenage debutant Oliver McBurnie is hoping for more first-team opportunities after making his senior bow in City’s FA Cup horror show at Rotherham.

The Bantams were beaten 3-0 by their bitter Yorkshire rivals after a woeful display but the late introduction of rookie striker McBurnie ensured the day was not a complete disaster.

The 17-year-old striker from Leeds replaced Nahki Wells with eight minutes remaining, showed some neat touches and earned praise from Phil Parkinson.

McBurnie was awarded a three-year professional contract in the summer and was handed his chance after a stunning run of 17 goals in ten games for City’s youth team.

The imposing forward said: “Individually it was a great day making my debut and the fans were great but it was just a shame about the performance.

“I got told on Friday that I would be travelling and then the gaffer pulled me to one side and said ‘you are on the bench today’.

“Two minutes before I went on he said ‘Olly, get warmed up’ and that was it. There were a lot of nerves but it was mainly excitement and I was really proud.

“I’m really grateful the gaffer has given me my chance and hopefully I will get as many chances as possible.

“Now I have had a little taste of it I just want as much as I can.”

McBurnie grew up supporting Leeds United but guested for Manchester United in the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland during the summer, finishing as the tournament’s golden boot winner with five goals in five games, including the match-winner in the final.

“I was born in Leeds and they were my team when I was younger,” he said.

“I was on loan at Manchester United in the summer and we won the Milk Cup over in Ireland so it was just for a couple of weeks.

“It was a really good experience for me and it’s all added to helping me make my debut for Bradford. Now I am back here I’ll just see how far I can get.”

McBurnie was given a tough introduction to full-time professional football after a heavy challenge by a Rotherham defender but it did not faze him.

He added with a smile: “A defender came straight through me and it was like ‘welcome to the big game’ but we had a little laugh about it after the match.

“I expected it really but all the lads were great with me encouraging me and telling me to play my normal game. I thought I did all right. Although I was a little bit nervous there were a couple of nice touches so it was good.”

McBurnie is set to link up with Scotland’s Under-19s squad this week and will therefore miss Sunday’s home clash with Coventry.

Parkinson paid tribute to McBurnie, who replaced Caleb Folan on the bench in the change to the side on duty at Crewe the week previously.

The Bantams boss said: “Oliver was on the bench because he deserved to be – it wasn’t a token gesture because it was the FA Cup.

“His performances for the youth team merited it and he has trained well with the first team.

“He’s got honesty, enthusiasm and class – and he can finish.

“He’s still got a lot of physical development to do and we will help him with that. Even though he only got ten minutes, he showed some good attributes. Hopefully he can be a good player for us in the future.”

* City could find themselves in the trouble with the Football Association after violence flared in the away end during the second half.

A number of City fans clashed with police and stewards as they attempted to confront Rotherham supporters in the main stand.

A flare was also thrown onto the pitch from the stand housing over 2,000 Bradford fans.