Celtic forgotten man Scott Allan is in line for a shock recall, it has been confirmed.
Neil Lennon has revealed the frozen-out 27-year-old, who did not play for the Hoops once under Brendan Rodgers, is in the running to play before the end of the season.
The interim Hoops manager explained how Allan, who agreed a pre-contract with Hibs when Neil Lennon was in charge in January, is set to be brought back into the fold when his injury problems have cleared.
“I’d like to give Scott Allan some game-time between now and the end of the season but at the moment I can’t risk him because there’s a chance he could break down,” Lennon said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“He’s played a few development games but I’d like to give him a little run if the opportunity comes along.
“He’s training well and having a go at it but he’s in a difficult position.”
OPINION
It would be remarkable if Allan was recalled to the Celtic squad after failing to get a single senior minute under Rodgers, who clearly didn’t rate a player who never got closer to the pitch than the bench. With Lennon in charge and more receptive to Allan’s talents – the central midfielder thrived on loan under the northern Irishman at Easter Road and will return for a third spell in the summer after signing a pre-contract in January – the freeze-out is now set to end. Allan needs to prove his fitness, first, but Lennon’s warm words will be encouraging to a player who knew he had no chance of playing while Rodgers was at the helm. The former Scotland Under-21 international made a big impact while on loan in Edinburgh, providing an impressive 22 assists from 55 matches as well as scoring six goals. Lennon appreciates Allen’s creativity, industry and the versatility that enabled him to fulfil a number of different midfield roles. His imminent return to the fold will be a massive confidence to the player.