The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Banks aims to follow lead of former Hamilton pair
Scott Banks admits he is dreaming of joining James McArthur and James McCarthy in the Crystal Palace first team after completing a life-changing move from Dundee United.
The 18-year-old signed a three-year deal with the English Premier League side yesterday, with the Tannadice club expected to receive around £200,000 in training compensation.
Banks, who came through the Graeme Scottish FA performance school in Falkirk as well as the United youth ranks, has also vowed to throw himself into the challenge of living over 400 miles away from his family in London.
The attacking midfielder links up with former Hamilton pair McArthur, who recently retired from international football with Scotland, and McCarthy at Selhurst Park.
And despite having only made four first team appearances with United this season after helping Clyde achieve promotion from League Two during a loan stint last term, Banks has already set his sights on catching first team manager Roy Hodgson’s attention.
He said: “The ultimate goal is to play in the first team as soon as I can and then hopefully just be a joy to watch when I’m out there, always try and put a smile on peoples’ faces and do something exciting. Hopefully it’s exciting times ahead.
“I’m looking forward to meeting them (McArthur and McCarthy), I’m sure they will be great with me and put me at ease straight away.
“Meeting any players at this level of club is a dream come true. Getting myself involved with them is brilliant.
“It’s a big moment for me and my family, and I’m delighted to be here.
“There’s no bigger stage I’d want to play on and it’s a big step up coming from Scotland.
“I want to push myself to the highest level I can go, so it was a no-brainer that this was the place for me to be.”
Scotland Under-19 international Banks, who was brought up in Linlithgow, is adamant he will not be overawed by the move.
He added: “Coming down for the first time, it’s a big difference. Just the size of place, especially for a wee town I live in to going across the bridges into London.
“It’s a massive change but one that is really exciting and hopefully I’ll be here for long time.
“My parents will be here for a couple of days but I think it’s important I become independent and be my own person at 18 years old. ”
United sporting director Tony Asghar said: “I believe Scott has the ability to become a top talent in football and hope he continues to develop to the level we believe he could have progressed to had he chosen to remain at Dundee United.”