Saturday 18 February 2017 09:05, UK
Harry Winks used to be "in awe" of Tottenham mentor Scott Parker, but will not let up if they face each other on FA Cup duty.
Parker's current club Fulham host Winks' Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, with both midfielders looking to earn rare starts for their sides.
Winks was just 16 when Parker led Spurs into the Champions League under Harry Redknapp in 2012, but the 21-year-old is now setting his sights on achieving his old team-mate's success.
"He was a top player and a top person as well," Winks said of Parker. "He was great with me, always giving me advice, and his career speaks for itself and he's a player I'd love to aspire to get to one day.
"I think when I first trained with the first team he was near the end of his time at Spurs and I was in and out of the sessions.
"As a young scholar just looking up to someone like Scott and training with him it was more like I was in awe of him.
"Hopefully if I do get the chance to play against him it will be respect on both sides, but I will go out and try to win."
Parker, 36, is no longer a guaranteed starter at Fulham, with half of his 24 Sky Bet Championship appearances coming as a substitute this season.
However, the former England international retains a special status with Winks, who has recalled how Parker called him in for some specific, individual feedback.
"Being a midfielder himself. He was coming to the end of his career at Spurs and he was looking more to the coaching side," Winks said.
"Obviously he has a lot of advice to pass on and me being a young player coming through the academy I was just trying to get as much advice as possible. Scott just seemed to be perfect for that.
"I remember there was one session after training I went into a room with him and we watched clips back of his game and he talked me through what he thought was good in his game and what I needed to watch back and do myself.
"He is just an all-round midfielder. He has captained England, he is a top player - his passing, his tackling, his mentality.
"When he goes on the pitch, he always gives 100 per cent and that is what I like to emulate as well."
