Bantams boss Stuart McCall is confident that former City defender Rory McArdle will receive a warm welcome from the home supporters when he returns to the Northern Commercials Stadium with Scunthorpe United this Tuesday (21 November 2017).
After five seasons with the Bantams, McArdle will make his first visit back to Valley Parade on Tuesday evening following his departure for Scunthorpe last summer.
McArdle - who is now skipper for Scunthorpe - was involved in virtually all of City's most recent league and cup successes since 2012, and McCall fully expects the centre half to get the right reception when he takes the field on Tuesday.
McCall said: "Rory was a superb servant for the football club and he was certainly a tremendous professional during my time with him last season.
"He will undoubtedly have some great memories of his time here at Bradford, including his winning goal against Fleetwood Town last season that got us to Wembley in the play-offs.
"Like Billy Clarke with Charlton Athletic a few weeks earlier, I’m sure Rory will get the warm reception he deserves from the City supporters on Tuesday.
"He was a very popular player in and around the club during his time here, and it was no real surprise to see Scunthorpe make him their captain."
With McArdle in their back line, Scunthorpe have kept as many as nine clean sheets so far in Sky Bet League One - the joint-best in the division along with Wigan Athletic.
Last season's fixture between City and Scunthorpe at Valley Parade ended goalless on Boxing Day, and McCall feels Tuesday's game could be another tight and keenly-contested encounter.
McCall added: "We know that so far our home form hasn’t been as productive as it was last season.
"We created enough chances to win us the game against Plymouth last time out at home, but it wasn’t to be on the day.
"Tuesday's game might actually be a match of few clear-cut opportunities.
"We had that at home to Rotherham United earlier this season and we managed to win 1-0.
"You get those sort of close games sometimes.
"Scunthorpe have a good defensive record so far this season, and we had a tight match with them at home last season.
"Both sides had openings to try and win it but it finished goalless.
"We will go into Tuesday's game full of confidence, especially after the weekend win at Wigan, but Scunthorpe will be in a confident frame of mind themselves after their terrific 3-0 victory at Northampton Town on Saturday.
"Both teams know each other well, so it might come down to who can produce that bit of magic on the night."