STUART McCall insists Jordan Gibson usurped Shay McCartan on the City bench on merit.

The young winger did not come on in the surprise 1-0 Valley Parade defeat against Plymouth – but £200,000 summer recruit McCartan was not even named among the substitutes.

McCall felt Gibson has earned his chance in the squad after catching the eye in the recent Checkatrade Trophy ties against Manchester City's development side and Rotherham.

He was named City's man of the match each time. McCartan also played both games but did not have the same impact.

In contrast to Gibson, the Northern Ireland international is still looking to make his mark with the Bantams following his move from Accrington.

McCall said: "Shay's confidence is a bit low and Jordan has done really well in the last couple of games.

"We've said a few weeks ago that whoever is performing will get a chance.

"It doesn't matter if you're experienced or not, old or young, we're going to go on what we see on the pitch and in training.

"I just thought Jordan Gibson's performances had merited him being on the bench."

Gibson, who featured in a closed-doors under-23 friendly against Hull yesterday, is itching to follow Tyrell Robinson into the senior side. Robinson made his second league appearance when he was thrown on at half-time against Plymouth.

McCall is confident there will be no lingering effects from losing to a side that had started the day bottom of League One.

City are now preparing for the first of three games against sides around them in the top five.

McCall said: "We've got some big fixtures coming up but we'll be ready. We were frustrated but come Monday morning, everyone is bright and breezy again.

"We've got to bounce back. We'll go to Wigan on Saturday and the doom and gloom merchants won't give us a chance.

"That's probably sometimes better. When your backs are against the wall, let's see what we can do there.

"When this group of players are on top of their game, they can win anywhere. Wigan are probably the strongest team we will have played but our away form has been very good this year."