Allan and McNulty pairing years in making

IT MAY seem like Scott Allan has developed an instantaneous understanding with Marc McNulty but the mercurial midfielder has revealed their rapport is more than a year in the making.

Allan is visibly thriving following McNulty’s arrival in the Hibernian line-up.

The on-loan Reading marksman is already on four goals in two starts.

And Allan has revealed that the prospect of linking up with McNulty last January was one of the reasons he was desperate to force through an early transfer from Celtic.

“When I was hoping to get here [to Hibs] in January last season, playing with Marc was one of the things I was really looking forward to – but it wasn’t to be,” recalled Allan. “So I’ve had to wait a year. Now, the partnership feels natural.

“It’s all about how he plays: he’s on the shoulder, ready to go and as soon as I get the ball I can look up and know where he’s going to be.

“I even had a couple of chances to put him through after the first goal the other night – he went and I didn’t play it, so it will get better too.

“I’ve known him for a long time, I know his style of play and know that it suits mine.”

The duo will be charged with blowing away a resurgent Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon.

The Rugby Park outfit have racked up three successive victories and, should they build on their memorable 2-1 win over Rangers in midweek with another victory, they will leapfrog Hibs into the top-six.

“It’s going to be tough but we’re really confident,” continued Allan.

“When we played Killie at Easter Road [2-2 draw in November], we dominated for long spells and should have won so hopefully we get the win on Sunday.”

The final prong in a fearsome trio in the final third is Christian Doidge, whose clinical header against County in midweek was his 14th goal in his last 18 games; 16 for the campaign. And he, along with McNulty, have been tipped for international caps.

“That [international recognition] would be great but they’ll only get that from continuing to perform here,” insisted Hibs assistant head coach John Potter.