Crystal Palace winger Scott Banks on how Manchester United legend Mark Hughes tempted him into League Two loan switch

Crystal Palace youngster Scott Banks has outlined how Mark Hughes convinced him that spending the season on loan at Bradford City was the best decision for his development.

The 21-year-old is experiencing the fourth loan of his career, having had short-term stays around the Scottish football pyramid in his formative years. But the Scottish winger admits his latest venture with the League Two Bantams is his most important temporary stint.

Competition for his signature over the summer was fierce with Hartlepool United also reportedly attempting to bring in Banks.

But a conversation with the ex-Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona striker Hughes was one of the deciding factors in Banks’ decision to commit to Bradford.

“He started off expressing how Bradford play, which is with lots of the ball and moving it well from side to side,” Banks told the South London Press. “He said he wanted me to come in and help the squad in the final third, and he used the term: ‘Unlock the door’.

“I wanted to come somewhere where I was going to have plenty of the ball, create chances and be in good positions on the park a lot of the time.

“When someone like Mark Hughes is giving me praise such as that, you take a step back and think: ‘I’m doing alright for myself here’. I appreciate that he’s an admirer of my game. Now I have to go and back his decision to bring me in.”

Hughes, who had spent his entire club managerial career in the Premier League before dropping down to the fourth tier last season to take over at Valley Parade, has worked with a plethora of attacking talents.

When the list of Carlos Tevez, Adel Taarabt and Xherdan Shaqiri is read out to him, Banks added: “He’s worked with some unbelievable talents. Who knows, maybe one day he can add my name to that? He’s a great big name in the game, and he has done a lot, but now I’m just used to him being the manager and working with him.

“He’s been able to pick at bits and pieces of my game and look at things I need to focus on and work through – areas where I haven’t been challenged before.

“I’m hoping to learn as much as I can from a guy such as that. With his pedigree, it’s an honour to work under him.”

Banks joined Palace as an 18-year-old. The Eagles had been long-term admirers of the young playmaker, with a £400,000 bid turned down by Dundee United in August 2019 for Banks, then 17.

Palace eventually secured his signature in January 2020, penning a three-year deal with the Premier League club.

“It was challenging at first,” explained Banks, who initially joined Palace’s academy.

“I moved away from home when I was in Scotland anyway, so it wasn’t majorly new to me.

“The one thing was the London lifestyle – it was very different. It was very challenging to adapt at the start, but the club made it so easy – it felt like a family being around the club.

“They took me in, and I was able to get all the things I needed. The transition was made as easy as it possibly could. I’m used to moving around

“It feels a little bit like I have been here, there and everywhere. It’s part of football – you accept it’s going to happen. If you don’t, you will struggle, and it will hinder your performance.”

When Banks returned from Dunfermline Athletic – his second loan away from Selhurst Park – he was integrated into new manager Patrick Vieira’s first team for pre-season in 2021, featuring in all five friendlies and scoring twice.

“It was surreal for Vieira to come in and to work with him closely,” said Banks, who the Palace boss described as a ‘really smart kid.’

“It’s evident from the outside looking in that the club is in a positive direction at the moment. He came, implemented his style of play, and the boys took it in their stride.

“I was able to be a part of watching it happen. I have been able to get myself in some good positions to work with some top people, and he [Vieira] is another one on that list.”

The Scotland U21 international scored 10 goals last season in 17 appearances for Palace’s U23 side and headed out with the first-team squad on the pre-season tour of Singapore and Australia.

“I spoke with the majority of the coaches,” said Banks when asked if he looked for advice from any of the Palace backroom staff before signing for Bradford.

“But it was all positive, and for me to enjoy it – there were no serious comments made. They were excited for me – they knew I needed to make this step off the back of last year.

“It’s the pressure to produce what I have done at U23 level. The Scottish loans were brilliant for me – learning the style of play and getting minutes in league football. But this is the season where I have to go and show I can produce at this level.

“If there is pressure, it’s from myself – it’s not coming in externally. I’m putting myself under pressure as I want to go and perform.”

Banks has seamlessly adapted to life at Bradford, with Hughes’ side in the play-off places after 11 games.

The Palace loanee has recorded two goals and two assists in eight appearances and already hit one of his trademark free-kicks against AFC Wimbledon, curling a stunning long-distance strike past Nik Tzanev in the opening stages of their 2-2 draw.

“It’s given me the chance to play in front of big crowds, show that I can perform and produce goals, assists and deliver performances in the Football League,” explained Banks. “It’s massive for me in my career. I needed to play some league football – to get that physical challenge. We want to get promotion. With the talent in this squad we have a real shot at it.

“I have made a great start – but I’m nowhere near the Premier League, by any means.”

VIEIRA PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD