CELTIC agreed a four-year deal with Hibs midfielder Scott Allan late tonight.
The former Scotland Under-21 star is set to be unveiled in front of fans ahead of tomorrow’s match against Inverness Caley Thistle at Paradise.
The saga surrounding Allan’s departure from the Easter Road club has rumbled on for the past few weeks, with the 23-year-old handing in a transfer request.
As a wee boy, Allan’s favourite player was Paul Gascoigne when he was growing up and he previously admitted an affiliation with the various Ibrox clubs. No longer.
The player didn’t hesitate to make his move to the SPFL champions official.
Earlier this evening he said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign for Celtic, such a fantastic club.
“It is such an honour to be given this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started and play my part in bringing success to Celtic and our supporters.
“There are so many exciting challenges ahead for us now in Scotland and in Europe and I am looking forward to being part of all that lies ahead. I know a number of players well at the club already, so it will be great to team up with these lads again as well as all my other new team-mates, and I know we will work hard together to bring more good times to our fans.
“I know the high-quality of players at the club and I know it will be a big personal challenge for me but it’s one I’m ready for and one I am relishing. “I would like to thank the many fans who have already welcomed me to the club. I really appreciate this support.”
The transfer fee was around the £275,000 mark with Celtic doing their bit to strengthen the Hibs Championship challenge.
Celtic’s Scotland based manager Ronny Deila said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Scott to Celtic. He’s a player of huge potential and someone who is hungry for success, a young player who can have a big future at our club.
“Everyone at Celtic is delighted that Scott has joined the club and wishes him every success for the future.”
The Scott Allan signing is unlikely to be the last one that an increasingly confident Ronny Deila will make this month as he shapes his squad and his team.
*One Celtic blogger may be slightly red faced at the moment. After CQN broke the story in the media lunchtime on Wednesday, he wrote that he’s a cement mixer of humble pie if Celtic sign Scott Allan! When the next one breaks he might need a bigger mixer! (He’s a fine, fine writer btw!)
