Allan Saga Over, Time To Move On

So the Scott Allan transfer saga was officially ended on Monday when the player was introduced to the press following his move from Hibs to Celtic.

The midfielder claimed it was an easy decision to join the Hoops despite his boyhood allegiance to Glasgow rivals Rangers who saw three bids for the 23 year old rebuffed by the Easter Road side who stated in no uncertain terms the playmaker wouldn’t be sold to a rival club with Hibs set to battle it out with the Ibrox side for the Ladbrokes Scottish Championship this campaign.

Allan said: ‘When I heard off my agent that Celtic were interested, for me it was an easy decision. To step up a league, the chance of European football, and to develop as a player, that’s why my decision was made.’

The more sceptical amongst the Hibs support believe money was the underlying factor for his move west to a club where he faces an almighty battle to get first team action where he’ll face competition from the likes of Scott Brown, Nir Biton, Stuart Armstong and Stefan Johansen.

Can he compete with those established stars just 12 months on from effectively being rescued from the footballing scrap heap by Hibs and Alan Stubbs? Hindsight would be wonderful in this case but it’s hard to see him having the correct mentality if he wants to jump ship whenever things are going against him such as his contract grievances at Dundee United and Hibs whilst Birmingham boss Lee Clark has previously accused him of a lack of effort during a loan spell at St Andrews.

The good news for Hibs is they’ve received the highly promising Liam Henderson on loan as a makeweight in the deal and the 19 year old should be able to deliver consistently in the Championship.

Now the drama surrounding Allan is over, Hibs can get back to getting on with business on the park and with a trip to Ibrox looming on Sunday, it would be hoped Stubbs can use the funds from the deal to push for at least one new arrival prior to kick off.

Hibs still lack defensive cover with Jordan Forster still sidelined and Dylan McGeouch, rumoured by many to be part of the deal which took Allan to Parkhead, has yet to be confirmed as a done deal.

Meanwhile, former St Johnstone striker Dylan Easton has arrived at Easter Road for a trial after his Saints contract was mutually terminated last week.