Scott Allan agrees to Hibernian summer return

Celtic midfielder Scott Allan will head back to Hibernian for a third stint this summer after sealing his Easter Road return with a pre-contract agreement.

The 27-year-old is now set to bring a frustrating four-year stay in Glasgow's east end to a close when he moves back to Edinburgh.

Allan has signed a three-year deal to begin in July although the speculation will now centre on whether Hibs head coach Neil Lennon can persuade his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers to part with the playmaker early.

For now, the Easter Road manager is just happy to have secured his services for next season.

Lennon told the club's official website: "It's no secret that Scott is a player I admire and wanted back at Hibernian.

"He's a player who suits the attacking brand of football we like to play. The type that gets supporters off their seats.

"We're looking forward to having him back.''

Chief executive Leeann Dempster added: "It goes without saying that he's a player our supporters hold in the highest regard and we were determined to bring him back to Easter Road.

"It's an arena and a club that brings out the best in Scott and, from speaking to him, it's clear that it means a lot to him.''

Allan has made just three first-team starts and come off the bench 14 times for Celtic and was farmed out to Rotherham and Dundee on loan before making a temporary move back to Easter Road last January.

Allan has not featured for Celtic at all this season and does not look like featuring again.

Just before the news broke, Rodgers said: "Scott Allan has been unfortunate for his time here. He's a player that I've really liked.

"Unfortunately, when we was out on loan, we did very well, as did he when he was out.

"He came back in the summer after two seasons of success (for Celtic).

"It's been very difficult for him to break in, nothing to do with his training, his attitude has been first-class. He is at the age now where he just wants to play football.'