Scott Allan returns to Celtic after a forgettable loan spell with Rotherham United.
In the end, Scott Allan made fewer appearances in his lifeline loan at Rotherham United than he managed in a miserable debut campaign at Celtic. Rapidly falling out of favour at the club pinned to the bottom of the Championship table, the 25-year-old now returns to Glasgow with his reputation hardly enhanced by just four league starts.
But what chance does he have of resurrecting his career with the Scottish champions?
On the face of it, Allan’s prospects look dim. Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong have formed a formidable partnership in the centre of Celtic’s midfield, so much so that Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic have been forced to warm the bench more often than not lately.
Furthermore, with Celtic set to secure the signing of Ivorian midfielder Kouassi Eboue, Allan may find himself dropping to sixth in the pecking order.
Yet, on the other hand, there is a clear and mutual respect between player and manager.
“He’s a good player who I saw when he was at [Allan’s former club] West Brom,” the Northern Irishman said earlier in the season, per the Daily Record.
“I really like what I’ve seen of him. It’s about trying to give him a tactical understanding of the game.”
Furthermore, Allan himself returned the compliment, telling the same publication that Rodgers had instilled substantial improvements in his game after just five weeks together.
Nethertheless, the midfielder is hardly likely to have risen in Rodgers’ estimations with his season-long loan spell at Rotherham cut short in January.
At 25, Allan can no longer hide behind his potential and, as the Celtic midfield becomes settled and strengthened, it may already be too late to salvage his career with the champions.
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