Nottingham Forest defender Yohan Benalouane has looked like a solid signing since his arrival from Leicester City in January.
He has been speaking to the Nottingham Post this week about his first month at the club and meeting Roy Keane for the first time.
The Tunisian signed an 18-month deal and has filled in for the Reds amid a major defensive injury crisis.
The 31-year-old will sit out of this weekend’s home game with Brentford after being sent off at Birmingham last weekend.
There is a real sense that the defender can become a good signing for the Reds.
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Despite not playing much football prior to his move to Forest, he has looked composed and assured at the heart of the Reds’ back four.
Benalouane has been impressed with the club since he signed and held assistant manager Roy Keane in high regard.
The ex-Foxes defender believes that Keane has the ‘respect’ of Benalouane and his team-mates.
He told the Nottingham Post: “Roy is somebody I am a little bit shy around because I was watching him when he was playing.
“He is a big person for me, because of what he has achieved. He has big respect because he has a great career.
“When I was young, I would watch Manchester United and Roy Keane was one of my favourite players. It is a little bit difficult for me to talk to him because I am still a little bit shy.”
Step-by-step, however, Benalouane believes that he and his team-mates are adapting to Keane’s presence.
He continued: “We are starting to talk, to get to know him and I am sure he will bring his mentality to the squad. He had a great mentality when he was a player. Hopefully, he can bring that amazing attitude to the team.
“Everyone wants to show what they can do in training; everyone wants to show something. But the most important thing is to work for the team, for the manager and for Roy.
“We need to give our best; we need to go for victories in every game, as a team. That is the first target.
“I don’t think the team is nervous around him, but he does have the respect of us all,”
Forest have slipped down to 12th in the Championship and it really is a case of win at all costs on Saturday.
The Reds can ill-afford any more disappointing results and the Brentford contest looks massive.
The Bees have picked up of late and they are a side who have traditionally enjoyed picking up results at the City Ground.
That ‘amazing attitude’ that Benalouane uses to label Keane will be instilled into the players come Saturday.