THE arrival of Scott Banks has been described as "exciting" by Stevie Crawford and he hopes that more business will be done before the transfer deadline.

Scotland under-19 international Banks, who moved to English Premier League club Crystal Palace 12 months ago from Dundee United, arrived at East End earlier this week on loan until the end of the season.

He is Athletic's second signing of the January window, which closes at midnight on Monday, and the club are still keen to add to their squad if they can.

Speaking this week, Pars head coach Crawford said: "I think we've added two, quality players to the squad in Kyle and Scott.

"I've always been conscious of that, when we're working behind the scenes, we're bringing in players that are going to make us better or give us the opportunity to get better. Not just individuals, but as a group, and I think the two of them will add that.

"I know we're getting towards the end of the month but we'll continue to work away behind the scenes. I can't guarantee that we're going to get another one or two signings over the line, but we're working on stuff to see if there's anything out there to allow us to get stronger.

"He (Banks) is a bubbly character. He's very attack-minded; he can play in off the striker, he can play on both flanks, and he can deal with the ball. He's not afraid to take people on, he's creative, and we're thankful to Crystal Palace first and foremost they've given us their trust that we're going to look after their player. Equally, it was great that Scott wanted to come to the club.

"It's exciting we've managed to bring in an addition like that to the squad, and the quality we've already got."

Crawford had been heavily linked with the teenager, who previously had a successful loan spell at Clyde before a short-lived temporary stint with Alloa Athletic last season, throughout the month before finally landing his man.

And he revealed that is was an eye-catching performance in the Bully Wee's League Two, play-off final second leg win over Annan Athletic in 2019 - which saw Banks rated man of the match - that his interest perked up.

"I know the club have worked extremely hard to get this one over the line, and I think it says a lot about Scott as well," Crawford continued.

"We had watched him a few years ago. He caught my eye playing in a play-off game for Clyde against Annan, and we've followed his progress since then.

"He had a successful loan period out at Clyde, he then moved on to Crystal Palace last January, and before the pandemic hit us, he had a short spell at Alloa.

"I know talking to him that, having had a taste of first team football, that's whetted his appetite and he's very much wanting to kick on, play and be around a first team environment.

"We're lucky that we're going to benefit from that and he's shown already in the early parts of the week that he's going to bring something to the table for us."