Saints and Palace in for United kid Banks

SOUTHAMPTON and Crystal Palace are poised to battle it out for the £500,000 capture of Dundee United youngster Scott Banks. The Tannadice club rejected a £350,000 offer from Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman for the 17-year-old midfielder on Tuesday. Entering the final year of his current contract, Banks has attracted interest from both sides of the border. Southampton have watched him in Betfred Cup action and are pondering a bid before the English window closes at 5pm today. Manchester City, Brighton and Wolves have also taken an interest, while Celtic and Rangers have made enquiries about the teenager. Loaned out to Clyde last season, Banks has made four appearances for the United first team under Robbie Neilson this term. Despite talks over a new deal at Tannadice, he is likely to leave if the £500,000 asking price is met. Banks came on as a late substitute for Lawrence Shankland last Saturday after the striker scored four goals in United’s 4-1 hammering of Inverness Caley Thistle. After seeing the 23-year-old former Ayr striker shoot down the Highlanders in such emphatic fashion, United No 2 Lee McCulloch paid him the ultimate compliment yesterday by saying he reminds him of Rangers icon Ally McCoist. ‘Shanks is a natural goalscorer. I don’t think you can tell someone like that where to go,’ said McCulloch. ‘It’s like Ally McCoist. They can’t really be coached inside the box when crosses are coming in. They just take up natural positions. ‘As an ex-striker, I definitely feel I can help Lawrence. Every single player in the world can probably improve and I feel as if I’ve got good game knowledge.’ Tomorrow’s Championship clash at Firhill has been overshadowed by off-field problems at Partick Thistle amid a potential takeover, but McCulloch is wary of a Jags backlash, especially with Kenny Miller leading their attack. ‘Kenny’s maybe changed his game a wee bit since he’s got older but he’s still very effective,’ said McCulloch. ‘I don’t know what’s going on with them off the field but Kenny’s mentality of just getting on with things is the sort of mentality all their players will need to have.’