Allan: Celtic Move Easy Decision

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Scott Allan declared himself unconcerned with any negative reactions to his move to Celtic as he stressed the switch to the Scottish champions was easily the best for his career.

The boyhood Rangers fan submitted a transfer request to Hibernian late last month amid several bids from Ibrox, but the Edinburgh club refused to sell to their Ladbrokes Championship rivals and Allan jumped at the chance to join Celtic when they made their move last week.

The 23-year-old said: "When I heard off my agent that Celtic were interested, for me it was an easy decision. To step up a league, the chance of European football, and to develop as a player, that's why my decision was made.

"I just made it on football terms, I wasn't really bothered about what came with it. 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."

Allan agreed that the importance of his boyhood allegiances had been exaggerated.

"My job is a football player," said the midfielder, who hopes to be involved in Celtic's Champions League qualifier against Malmo on Wednesday.

"You need to look out for your best interests and that's what I have done by coming to Celtic."

When asked whether he would still live in Glasgow, Allan showed no sign of fearing any comeback over his decision.

"Of course," he said. "I'm from Glasgow. I don't want to live somewhere else and travel in every day.

"I have not really been out and about. I have just been concentrating on getting things done here and looking forward to making an impact in training. So I have not really been out much on the street."

When asked why he made his transfer request, Allan, who was keen to remain in Scotland, said: "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 insisted he was not focused on a move to Ibrox at that stage and that he had no knowledge of Rangers coming back in for him on Friday.

"I was just concentrating on my game and if something came up then I would need to make a decision," he said. "Lucky enough it was Celtic and that's the decision I made."

Allan spent one season at Easter Road where he rejuvenated a career that had failed to hit anticipated heights following his move from Dundee United to West Brom in January 2012, failing to make the Baggies first team. And he had no problems with the way Hibs dealt with the transfer saga.

"They have got to do the best for their club the way I have done the best for my career," he said.

"So I can't really fault what they have done. They have looked after their best interests and what's best for their fans.

"I have a lot of respect for Alan Stubbs. He is probably the guy that has given me the platform to go and play and I have a lot to thank him for. That's why I'm sitting here.

"We never fell out and the relationship is still really good. I spoke to him before I signed here.

Allan was introduced to the media on Monday afternoon but he had already been paraded in front of the Celtic support ahead of their 4-2 victory over Inverness on Saturday.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "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."

Allan, who had loan spells with Portsmouth, MK Dons and Birmingham while at West Brom, has no concern that his Rangers allegiances might make it harder to win over the Celtic support.

"It's going to be a challenge anyway to get in the team," he said.

"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."