IT will take a lot more than a new haircut to dispel the popular notion of Scott Allan as, to quote his refreshingly blunt manager Neil Lennon, a “boyband player”
The Hibernian midfielder has failed to grasp too many chances, at West Brom, Portsmouth, Rotherham and Celtic, during his 26 years for anyone to revise their opinion of him with a sudden change of look.
But if he continues to produce eye-catching displays like the one is conjured up in the 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Easter Road on Saturday then he may finally realise his undoubted potential and be recognised for the exceptional talent he is.
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Allan, who has joined the Edinburgh club from their Glasgow rivals on loan until the end of this season, probed robust opponents, who received five yellow cards during the course of the 90 minutes, relentlessly and was pivotal to an important triumph.
Nobody could accuse him, as many have had good reason to in the past, of being posted missing and failing to deliver when Andrew Dallas blew the final whistle.
When told what kind of player Lennon had admitted he was expecting to get at the weekend, Allan said: “Does he mean because I’ve got long hair? Maybe I should get a skinhead!”
He added: “If it means I’m a luxury, well, people like watching that kind of player. I know when I go to a game, I want someone who’ll get me off my seat. That’s the guy I want to be.”
Allan certainly was in a game which moved the Championship champions to within five points of second place and gave them hope they can finish above both Aberdeen and Rangers in the league table.
The Scot is optimistic that, under a manager who is succeeding in getting the best out of him, he will grow in confidence and influence as he gets more games.
“I’m just happy to be back and playing good football,” he said. “That’s what excites me. It’s all about games and more games. That’s what I’ve always wanted. I’ve got a manager here who lets me play my game, who doesn’t over-complicate things or cloud your vision, and I’ve got team-mates who support me.
“There’s no doubt I’m a better player for what I’ve been through. I’ve learned through disappointment. If I could add goals as well as setting people up, that would be perfect, but it’ll come.”
Can Hibs, back in the top flight after three seasons in the second tier, end Aberdeen’s run of three consecutive second place finishes? If they both continue playing like they did at the weekend then it is possible. The Pittodrie club were as poor as their Easter Road rivals were impressive.
Kenny McLean, who was distraught at the result at the weekend despite the fact he has signed for Norwich City and will be moving to England in the summer, knows a vast improvement is required, not least against Celtic at home on Sunday.
“We’ve got a good bunch of boys who stick together and we are still in a good enough position for this stage of the season,” he said.
“We have to look at the positives, see where we are in the league and take those positives into the Celtic game.”
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