Allan undergoes Celtic medical

And now they are now set to lose out to the Premiership champions with, the Evening News understands, negotiations at an advanced stage and Allan, despite his boyhood allegiances to Rangers, prepared to move to Celtic Park.

“Obviously I know him coming through the youths and he has played with Dundee United and Hibs”.

Barring any late hitches, the 23-year-old is now expected to become Ronny Deila’s fifth summer addition, following Dedryck Boyata, Saidy Janko, Logan Bailly and Nadir Ciftci. Midfielder Liam Henderson could also move on loan for the season as part of the switch. But the “Allan saga” has overshadowed the club in recent weeks and, with the transfer window open for another fortnight and more, it would appear to be in everyone’s interests that the player moves on, thus allowing Stubbs, his staff and players to concentrate on their target of promotion.

Speaking before the talks accelerated on Thursday, Stubbs confirmed they could not rule out instead selling Allan to Celtic.

The agent of Brandon Mechele was quoted as saying Celtic are interested in the 22-year-old Club Brugge centre-back, but Deila said: “Again, it is a name and I don’t comment”. The player had told the hierarchy at Hibs that he wanted to leave but is now poised to sign for Celtic instead.

Duffy said: “This is one of the games that made all the hard work to be promoted worthwhile”. But that’s not to say we’re going to reject everything.

“I think we have been true to our word from day one”. I’m positive he can come here and be a really good player. At this moment in time we haven’t had that offer’.

“I think we have played some good football without Scott. But a club like Celtic is massive and any player that comes in will need to do the same as the boys who are here and give everything”.

Not only did Commons stun Nottingham Forest when he left them for local rivals Derby County, he too had been heavily linked with Rangers prior to joining Celtic in a cut-price deal in January 2011.

And over at Ibrox Rangers last night confirmed the loan signingss of Spurs pair Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball.

The out-of-favour Republic of Ireland global has been told he is not part of Deila’s long-term plans, with the two Championship clubs vying to conclude a £1.5million deal.