SCOTT BANKS isn’t old enough to remember his Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira infamously going toe-to-toe with Roy Keane in a tunnel.

But the Scotland Under 21s star believes the legendary French World Cup winner has an aura about him that will help the former Dundee United midfielder make an impact in the English Premier League.

Banks is with the Scotland squad who embarked on a marathon, circuitous route to reach Almaty, as they attempt to try and salvage some pride in what has been a disappointing Euro 2023 campaign.

The 20-year-old moved to Palace in a £500,000 move in 2020 and he’s been playing for the Eagles’ Under 23s team this season.

Former Arsenal hardman Vieira - who was inducted into the EPL Hall of Fame last week - has won plenty of plaudits this season for the way Palace have performed and two of their players – Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher – were handed their full England debuts in the weekend win over Switzerland.

Banks is also training every day with the likes of Wilfried Zaha and he’s relishing being in such illustrious company and working with the Selhurst Park boss, who had that infamous tunnel row with Manchester United icon Keane in 2005 at Highbury.

He said: “I think it’s evident the way the manager carries himself, he’s got a presence and an aura.

“You can feel it off him and you know what he expects and demands.

“When he’s taking training it’s top-level and he doesn’t settle for anything less. He’s right on it so it’s been a pleasure to experience it and there’s more to come.

“If he can give me those little bits and help me kick on. There have been a couple of debuts this year and hopefully, I can follow soon.

“But that’s all down to the work I put in and me showing I deserve that.

“I think it’s evident looking from the outside in how much of an influence he’s had at the club.

“There have been big changes and he’s brilliant. I really enjoy his training and the way he approaches games.

“For me, it’s a great opportunity to work with a guy like that. It’s some career he had and he’s a good manager, as he’s shown this year.

"I don’t actually remember him as a player but I’ve seen plenty of video clips. He got inducted into the Premier League Hall of fame which is great for him and the club.

“I’m just really proud to say I’ve played under him.

“He just wants us to play with freedom. Personally, he wants me to express myself when I’m on the park and be comfortable in and around these guys.

“That’s the best thing you want to hear as a young player, you want to have the licence to go and do that.

“He puts confidence in you when you’re out there.”

And Banks, who also had a loan spell at Dunfermline and Alloa, has to remind himself where he’s at sometimes.

He admitted: “When I first went down it was a bit surreal. These are guys you watch on TV scoring ridiculous goals.

“But now being a part of it you have to get used to it and you can’t dwell on that because you get left behind. You get lost so it’s important you believe in yourself and when you’re around these guys.

“If you don’t improve training with these guys where are you going to improve?

“It’s the best environment I could be in and the plaudits everyone is getting at the club, it’s been a really good positive movement of the club.

“It’s clearly a great training group and for me to be a part of that environment is really enjoyable.”

Meanwhile, Under 21s No.2 Peter Houston – who is in charge again after manager Scot Gemmill failed to recover from Covid in time – believes his youngsters can make history by becoming the first Scottish team to win on Kazakhstan soil.

Celtic have failed to win on three occasions, Aberdeen once and the national team too have all gone on the gruelling trip and not one of them have returned with a win.

And the former Dundee United and Falkirk boss is certain the group can bounce back from Friday’s poor display against Turkey, despite the injury absence of Lewis Fiorini, Ben Williamson and Newcastle prospect Lucas De Bolle as they adjust to conditions in Almaty ahead of today's noon kick off.

He said: “What would be nice is for us to be the first one to win especially after the disappointment and it’s something we can throw in beforehand.

“We will find it difficult because they’re a good team.

“I’ve spoken to Scot. He said he’d have made the three subs at half-time too against Turkey. We’ve worked together for a long time and sing off the same hymn sheet.

“They’ve advised us to stay on UK time. We arrived at 10.30pm which was 3.30am there.

“The boys will get up at 2pm and have breakfast and try it that way. We’re only out for two days then it shouldn’t have too much of an effect.

“It’s why they’re here and to show they are more capable than the other night when they got a bit spooked.”