Allan: Celtic move easy decision

Scott Allan insists he will brush off the flak generated by his move to Celtic and grasp the opportunity of success at Parkhead.

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.

When asked if he moved for money, he said: No. The thought process for me was ‘what’s best for my football career?’ “When I heard from my agent that Celtic were interested, in football terms it was an easy decision to step up a league and European football – and to develop as a player”.

The result saw Celtic replaced at the top of the table by newly-promoted Hearts, who made it three wins out of three following their 2-0 defeat of Motherwell thanks to a Gavin Reilly penalty and a Billy King strike.

‘I know I’ll get a lot of stick off some people, but it’s about playing football and developing and this is the right place for me’.

Though much has been made of last season’s Championship player of the year choosing one Glasgow team over another, there have also been questions about whether Allan can force his way into the starting XI at Celtic Park. They were good with me when I first came and I also know James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths from the under-21s.

“I have belief in my own ability to do that”. “I look forward to it”.

Allan said: “All I remember was it was quite amusing”.

“There are so many exciting challenges ahead for us now in Scotland and in Europe and I am looking forward to being part of all that lies ahead”.

Asked whether Rangers fans would have to get over his decision, Allan replied: ‘It’s football, isn’t it?

Halliday said: “We were both Rangers fans so we dreamed about it – luckily I’ve achieved it and if it works out the way I want, hopefully he’ll join me”.

Allan said: “The whole thing gets played up a wee bit”. It’s not like going into the unknown and they have all been brilliant with me. That’s why I’m sitting here.

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? I expect us to be back on track again on Saturday. The former Dundee United starlet had moved to English Premier League side West Brom in 2012 but spent the majority of his time on loan before returning north to sign for Hibs two years later.

“We’re not going there thinking we’re going to get beaten; we’ll go there and give a good account ourselves”. “That’s when I come to life and that’s why I play football”.

The midfielder said: “I spoke to Alan and he said the same things that Ronny [Deila] did”.