Scott Allan says it was 'easy' to sign a deal with Celtic

Scott Allan insists it was ‘easy’ to join Celtic despite requesting a transfer from Hibernian in an apparent attempt to push through a move to Rangers less than three weeks earlier.

The midfielder signed a four-year deal at Parkhead late on Friday to bring the longest-running transfer saga in Scottish football this summer to an end.

Rangers had three bids for the 23-year-old rejected by Hibs - who insisted they would not sell to a rival team in the Scottish Championship - before Celtic made their move.

Mark Warburton’s men currently top the second tier, three points ahead of Alan Stubbs’ side, but with Celtic in the Premiership, the Edinburgh side were happy to negotiate with them.

Allan’s representatives had talks with Rangers about a move there in 2012 before he left Dundee United for West Bromwich Albion.

Having grown up supporting the club just two miles from Ibrox, he spoke as recently as last year about his love of Rangers and his hopes of playing for them.

Despite that, he agreed when unveiled to the media that his allegiance to Celtic’s city rivals had been exaggerated, claiming Parkhead is the best place to continue his development as he closes in on 100 competitive appearances at senior level. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

He said: “When I heard off my agent that Celtic were interested, for me it was an easy decision. I just made it on football terms, I wasn't really bothered about what came with it.

“To step up a league, the chance of European football, and to develop as a player, that's why my decision was made.

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

“My job is a football player. You need to look out for your best interests and that's what I have done by coming to Celtic.

“Hibs told me if a bigger club came in, I would be able to leave and that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to progress my career and this is the right place for me.”

Allan also insisted the transfer request he submitted last month was not specifically to force a move to Rangers and added: “I was just concentrating on my game. If something came up then I would need to make a decision. Lucky enough it was Celtic and that's the decision I made.”

Allan hopes to be involved in Celtic’s home Champions League qualifying tie against Swedish side Malmo on Wednesday night.

He has already experienced Pakhead as a member of Ronny Deila’s squad having been introduced to the crowd before Saturday’s 4-2 win against Inverness.

Allan said: “It was unbelievable. It was a bit better than what I expected it was going to be. It was a really good feeling and it's something I will never forget.

“It wasn't much of a concern, I was just uncertain what I was going to come out and face. It's going to be a challenge anyway to get in the team.

“Obviously they have been doing well, but it's something I have been looking forward to. I have belief in my own ability to do that.”