Neil Lennon has confirmed that Hibs missed out on Scott Allan as a result of the fall out between Celtic and Hibs over John McGinn.
Allan has been left on the sidelines as he sees out the final year of his Celtic contract with no other club prepared to match his wages.
A third spell at Easter Road seemed to be an option during the summer but after rejecting three bids from Celtic to take McGinn along the M8 the door was closed on Allan making the reverse move.
The Edinburgh News reported from yesterday’s club AGM:
Lennon suggested trying to cut a deal with Celtic might have proved difficult, citing that McGinn who finally moved to Aston Villa in a £2.75 million after Hibs had knocked back three bids from the Glasgow club, and adding that negotiations might have been “a bit fraught”.
Allan hasn’t played a competitive game this season at either first team or reserve level.
Despite Celtic’s injury problems in Leipzig last night he wasn’t in the squad and must be badly short of match fitness.
Since signing for Ronny Deila in 2015 the 26-year-old has been on loan at Rotherham, Dundee and Hibs with his last Celtic appearance coming more than two years ago.
As a free agent next summer Allan will be in a strong position to negotiate a deal which is almost certain to take him out of reach for any Scottish club.
