Celtic man signed by Ronny Deila moves up three divisions to return to SPFL in coaching role

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There are a few similarities between where Celtic are now and where they were ten years ago.

Ronny Deila lost the Champions League play-off to Malmo that year – Brendan Rodgers lost in the same round to Kairat Almaty this year.

Celtic were in an unlikely early title race with Aberdeen that year – they are in the same position with Hearts this time around.

Kieran Tierney also made his breakthrough from the academy with an impressive performance in Europe against Fenerbahce  – Colby Donovan did exactly the same with his showing against Red Star Belgrade this season.

And in Scott Allan, Celtic made a seemingly pointless signing who barely got a kick. They made a few more of those this summer, but ten years on from joining the club, Allan has now returned to his first club in a coaching capacity.

Ex-Celtic midfielder Scott Allan returns to Dundee United in youth pathways role

Some Celtic fans would still argue that Allan’s signing was worth it for the entertainment value.

The then-Hibs midfielder was a well-known Rangers fan, but said no to his boyhood club when they were outbid by Celtic, triggering a very entertaining media storm.

READ MORE: Jamie O’Hara embarrassed further as Stockport fan lays into ‘ridiculous’ Celtic claims

Allan never quite reached his potential, but he has now committed to helping young players reach theirs as an individual development coach at Dundee United, according to the Courier.

Allan played for seven different clubs after leaving Celtic, struggling with injuries despite his obvious talents as a player.

He retired in the summer and moved into a coaching role alongside Mick Kennedy and Si Ferry at East Kilbride. He is to combine this job with his new duties at Tannadice.

Allan was one of several young players to blossom at the Arabs in the early 2010s, alongside fellow future Celtic players Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong.

Ryan Gauld gained global attention for his performances as teenager, and John Souttar also went on to play for Scotland. The most notable of them all, of course, is Andy Robertson.

Allan made 17 appearances in his first season at Celtic Park, most of them from the bench. He never featured again after Deila was replaced by Rodgers.

Celtic players from the last decade now working as coaches

Just as Allan did, Scott Brown also made the move from Easter Road to Celtic Park amid interest from Rangers. His Celtic career was slightly more successful than Allan’s, and he now manages Ayr United.

Charlie Mulgrew also tried his hand at management, but only lasted months at Kelty Hearts, quickly deciding that it wasn’t for him.

Jonny Hayes now works with the Hoops’ B team, stepping into the main role after Stephen McManus’ promotion to the first team.

More obscurely, German defender Marvin Compper, who made just one appearance for the club in 2018, is now the assistant manager of St Gallen in Switzerland.