Former Celtic scout and current Falkirk manager Peter Houston has insisted the club will be frustrated that they failed to properly pursue former target Dele Alli.
Houston revealed while speaking on BBC Radio Scotland show Sportsound that the Tottenham sensation “was on a list” within the Celtic scouting department back in 2013, yet the Scottish giants failed to mount a concerted bid to sign him from MK Dons.
Alli, 20, eventually joined Tottenham in January 2015 and has developed quickly into one of the best players in the Premier League.
The Glaswegian said: “I worked for Celtic for a little while and in the scouting department they had a list of players, John Park, at the time, had a list of players and Dele Alli was on that list.
“Celtic had watched him a couple of times as a young player starting to break through, I bet they wished they had signed him.”
Houston worked as a scout at the Parkhead side for eight monthsin between finishing his spell Dundee United and his move to take over as Falkirk boss.
Alli has flourished at Tottenham, particularly in the recent domestic campaign with his contribution being vital to his club’s battle with Chelsea for the Premier League silverware.
The midfielder made 50 appearances for Spurs while adding 22 goals, and 13 assists throughout that time.
The England international ventured to White Hart Lane back in 2015 for £5 million, and looks to continue his improvement at Tottenham after signing a six-year contract back in September 2016.
Celtic didn’t appear to need the help from Alli during their recent campaign as the club had an incredible year under Brendan Rodgers’ first season as manager.
The club triumphed under Rodgers, sitting 39 points above rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, as they sealed a remarkable domestic treble.