Jamie Walker reveals Mark Hughes shock factor that left Bradford City stars stunned as ex Hearts man eyes Wembley glory

Peering out the upstairs window of Bradford City’s home dressing-room, some players refused to believe it.

Mark Hughes as manager? The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker? The guy who was managing Manchester City not that long ago? Some hardened League Two pros just weren’t having it. But Jamie Walker was different. He believed it, alright. Because from the moment he arrived at Valley Parade, he knew the size and potential of the club. He’d experienced it before at Hearts.

Rather than be overawed by Hughes’ appointment, he revelled in it. And now, he’s thriving under the legendary Welshman. Bradford face Carlisle in the first-leg of their play-off semi-final with Wembley and promotion in their sights.

Walker will be a key figure for the Bantams. He has been all season under Hughes, who has been charged with taking them back to where the club’s supporters feel they belong. The Scot is loving life in Yorkshire because it reminds him of being in Gorgie.

Big club, big expectations, big-name boss. Walker is used to that kind of pressure and Hughes certainly is. Together, they might just be able to give Bradford the kind of success their supporters crave. In an exclusive interview with MailSport , the ex-Hearts star said: “I remember when the gaffer got the job. We had a lot of boys at that time who hadn’t really played at a higher level.

“The changing room is upstairs and there’s a small window in it. Derek Adams had been sacked a few days previously and we were called to a meeting there. We were all talking about who the new manager might be. We thought it was Steve Evans.

“Boys who were used to playing at that level had a notion of what Bradford would be looking for. But they were looking out that window