The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Allan never wanted to leave Tannadice
MIDFIELDER: Hibs star reveals he felt he had to go after manager’s criticism and abuse from home supporters
Former Dundee United midfielder Scott Allan says he never wanted to leave Tannadice.
The Hibs star swapped the Tangerines for West Brom in 2012 after falling out with Peter Houston, the club’s manager at the time, over a new contract.
Allan, 28, had only played a handful of games when negotiations broke down, prompting Houston to criticise him publicly.
He was then booed by his own supporters during a match against Hibs.
Allan – who also spent six months on loan at Dundee in 2017 – opened up about the United fallout on the Open Goal podcast this week.
He said: “I didn’t want to leave to be honest … it’d gone that far in the press.
“I was coming on for Dundee United and the full stadium were booing me and singing ‘get to f***’.
“I’ve gone through football with at least one set of fans hating me.
“From early on, you just get on with it. It is what it is. I’d been there for 10 years.
“I honestly didn’t want to leave but there were a few things in the background with Housty that sucked me into going down the road.”
Ex-celtic man Allan, now in his third spell at Easter Road, was given his chance in the United first team after a short loan with a Forfar side managed by Dick Campbell.
But it wasn’t long before his Tannadice dream turned into a nightmare, with Houston launching a scathing attack on him in the media over his wage demands.
Allan insists he didn’t want confrontation with the 2010 Scottish Cup-winning boss.
He said: “I was just young at the time. I was keeping myself quiet.
“I was just buzzing to get into the United side. My whole aim growing up was to play in the Dundee United first team.
“That was the way I looked at it because I’d been there for ages. Six games later you’re away after being there so long.
“I didn’t want to go to be honest but because of all that stuff, I couldn’t say no.”
Meanwhile, United academy graduate Lewis Neilson has signed a new deal until 2022.
The 16-year-old central defender – called up to the Scotland U17 squad this week – said: “I’ve been at the club since I was 10 years old, so this is where I want to be, and things are going so well.
“Hopefully, I can keep being involved in the first team and make the bench a few more times before the end of the season.
“It is great to be part of things at United and working on a daily basis with the coaches and the first team players has been so enjoyable.”