Finding position for Allan is key for Dee

How do you solve a problem like Scott Allan?

Admittedly, it’s a very nice problem for Dundee manager Neil McCann to have.

However, for me, getting the on-loan playmaker in a position to really hurt opposing teams will be the key to firing the Dark Blues up the Premiership table.

They’ve been a little unlucky that Allan hasn’t been available because of an injury that needed surgery.

Now, though, going into the second half of the season, the former Hibs star should be flying.

The difficulty at times is getting him into the team.

His quality is undoubted and he’s shown already he can be the difference for Dundee with the amount of assists he racked up in the early stages of the campaign. The problem is he’s a luxury player. You can see he does try to help out defensively but it’s just not his game.

Playing two strikers, too, which has worked well for the Dens men in recent weeks, makes it even more difficult to get him in the team.

I just don’t think he’s as good off the left side as he could be elsewhere.

That’s where he started in the 2-0 win at St Johnstone last week, though he was given free reign by his manager to drift and find space.

Finding a way to stick him in behind the striker would be ideal.

The issue is, taking out the targetman No 9, whether that’s Sofien Moussa or Marcus Haber, doesn’t look a good move.

A-Jay Leitch-Smith, too, you just can’t drop with the way he’s been performing — obviously whether the club manage to extend his loan spell from Shrewsbury Town is a big factor in that.

Allan showed in patches against Saints he can provide the ammunition to fire Dundee up the table.

He found space in the early stages between the lines and caused the home side a fair few problems.

I don’t think he looked entirely match sharp, to be fair, with some poor balls and decisions but that’ll come with game time.

He also didn’t look too chuffed to get subbed but that just shows he was enjoying himself on the field which is a good sign.

I’d have him in a midfield three with Glen Kamara and Paul McGowan but then how do you drop Mark O’Hara?

Great problem to have — finding a solution might just have the Dark Blues looking at the top six.

Scott Allan (No 10) started for Dundee at St Johnstone but the midfielder has often found himself on the bench.