Scott Allan: Hibs boss speaks on playmaker's return to training and recovery

Hibs’ Scott Allan has resumed training and is expected to step up his first-team involvement next week, but the influential midfielder remains a long way shy of a return to the Easter Road line-up.

Midfielder Scott Allan has taken part in some light training with the Hibs first team squad. Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group

Personal health concerns have limited the 29-year-old’s involvement this term, with the last of his five appearances coming against Aberdeen at the end of August.

Since then he has been dealing with a private health issue and has been forced to watch from the sidelines. However, he is making gradual progress and while everyone involved is taking things slow and steady, there is a degree of positivity, according to manager Jack Ross.

“I mentioned a few months ago about him having a health issue that was going to be explored and assessed and we would go from there,” said the Hibs boss, who has been at pains to keep the playmaker involved as much as possible, on match days and around the training centre.

After a lengthy watching brief, he is now taking small and cautious steps along the road to an attempted comeback.

“Scott has continued to increase his load this week, so he’s taken part in a little bit with me and then spent some time working with the performance department,” said Ross of the creative force who became a fan favourite in his first Hibs stint and was welcomed back in January 2018 after a period at Celtic, and loan spells at Rotherham and Dundee.

“The plan is for him to join in with the rest of the main group permanently from Monday and there will be a degree of normality about his training routine. He’ll still be monitored and we’ll build him up from there.

“It’s been quite a long time, in terms of him being out, so we’ll make sure we look after him in all aspects.But, so far, it’s been positive, his progression has been good.”

“I’m delighted for Scott, first and foremost, in terms of making these small steps towards being back fully fit and available, and naturally for me as a manager it would be terrific to potentially have him available at some point.”

Don’t expect a quick return

But, Ross has warned against unrealistic expectations.

“Any time a player has a significant period out it’s difficult for them and challenging. Then, when it’s maybe not as obvious as a physical injury, a hamstring or whatever it might be, then it can make things slightly more challenging.

“But Scott’s involvement around what we’re doing at the club has been consistent. He’s involved with us on a match-day and around the training ground, which has enabled him to continue feeling part of things and we were happy to move along at the pace that was right for him and we’ve got to the stage now where we can involve him again.

“He’s absolutely delighted with that and I’m really pleased for him, because I’ve got a good personal relationship with him and it’s nice to see him back out doing what he loves doing best, which is obviously playing football.

“It’s been encouraging so far how he’s looked and we’ll look forward to that continuing over the next couple of weeks.”

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