In theory the loan market seems ideal- send a player surplus to requirements out elsewhere for a season and get a better player back in return.
Theory however is rarely reality as a number of players are discovering this month.
When Tony Watt joined Robbie Neilson at Hearts he looked good to go for 20 goals in the SPFL. After a slow start followed by a change of manager he has been returned to Charlton as another loan, possibly to Wolves, is looked into.
Scott Allan’s move to Rotherham held similar promise.
Working again with Alan Stubbs with regular football in a highly competitive league seemed the ideal solution for the midfielder.
Allan certainly has something to offer, he has great skills, vision and passing but other than one season at Hibs he has yet to apply those skills into a meaningful season.
With Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic transformed by Rodgers there is no prospect of Allan getting anywhere close to a first team game at Celtic.
Like Nadir Ciftci the midfielder signed a four year contract that hasn’t reached the halfway stage.
Another loan looks to be the likely solution but having failed to make an impact at Rotherham it’s difficult to see who his next club will be.
With Rodgers committed to bringing in new players and working with the ones that he already has the only certainty is that Allan’s playing future won’t be at Celtic Park.
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