Celtic had high hopes for Scott Allan but moments of magic have been fleeting at best.
Scott Allen is 25 years of age but we are still waiting to see whether one of the most gifted Scottish players of his generation will ever begin living up to his potential.
After starring at Hibernian, Allan got his big break with Celtic in 2015. Though it’s fair to say the Glasgow-born midfielder did not exactly seize his opportunity with both hands.
Allan made only 13 Scottish Premiership appearances as The Bhoys lifted the title in his debut year at Parkhead. But, after failing to nail down a place in the team, found himself farmed out to Rotherham United the next season.
A reunion with his former Hibs boss Alan Stubbs was supposed to revive Allan’s career. Instead, Stubbs dropped him from the side in October, publically criticising his lack of effort as reported by the Daily Record. Allan played only three more times for a side who finished 19 points adrift at the bottom of the Championship.
Though Allan, in his latest loan spell at Dundee, has offered a timely reminder of the qualities that once had Celtic doing everything in their power to lure him to the green half of Glasgow.
The inconsistent Allan has been in and out of Neill McCann’s side and only came off the bench with 11 minutes remaining against Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers on Friday night.
A glorious pass set up Mark O’Hara’s 80th minute winner against Graeme Murty’s visitors. But while Allan will have no doubt increased his popularity among Celtic fans, such a moment of fleeting class only adds to the frustration.
Allan’s quality is not in question but his attitude has been frequently discussed for all the wrong reasons. But, as he showed against Rangers, there’s no reason he can’t still make a success of his career with a little bit of application.
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