IT was the big red, white and blue elephant in the room that Scott Allan did his best to avoid.

Speaking for the first time since his much-expected move to Rangers turned into a dramatic switch across the city, the figure of Celtic’s new midfielder was like a green and white vision as he walked through the doors deep within Parkhead.

Bedecked in a full home kit and boots, he clip-clopped his way across the tile floor to the sun-drenched table overlooking Celtic Way, casting his eye over a landscape that tomorrow night will be filled with tens of thousands of supporters for a Champions League qualifier.

It was at this point the elephant skulked away with its trunk between its legs.

Much has been made about the allegiance of Allan. How he grew up a Rangers fan, about how he attempted to engineer a move to the Ibrox club by handing in a transfer request to Hibs less than a month ago.

But as he sat fielding questions about his decision to jump at a chance to join their Old Firm rivals Celtic, you didn’t need to delve to deeply for some hidden reason for his dramatic U-turn.

The lure of European football is one which cannot be ignored for any player, especially someone from Glasgow of an age where Champions League nights and Uefa Cup fianl runs – for both Rangers and Celtic – were common place.

To put it into context, not only could Allan find himself playing against Malmo tomorrow night, he could be catapulted into the Nou Camp, Bernabeu or Allianz Arena within a matter of weeks. If he had gone to Govan, just three nights after that potential blockbuster for Celtic... Rangers go to Dumbarton.

It is this stark contrast which more than justifies the thought process of a young man and professional who is more than keen to further his career. He is sure he has made the right decision.

“I’m just delighted,” said Allan. “It’s a great opportunity for me, going up a division and having the chance to play European football. It’s a place where I know I will progress.

“The Champions League and Europa League is a big draw. It’s European football and if you have any aspirations of being a footballer it has to be part of your mindset.

“It was purely football terms. It’s the chance to go up a division and the prospect of European football.

“If you ask any player, nine times out of 10 they would make this decision and that’s what I’ve done.”

While Rangers fans playing for Celtic is nothing new, it is perhaps the speed in which Allan found himself being paraded around Parkhead at half-time on Saturday during the Hoops’ win over Inverness that has caused such a stir.

Only a couple of weeks ago supporters of the Ibrox club applauded the creative midfielder on to the park at Easter Road, so sure they were that either now, January, or at the end of the season, he would be joining life-long pal Andy Halliday in light blue.

The pair grew up together and just last week the Rangers midfielder said: “Our families were friends, we went to nursery together, primary school together – Cardonald Primary near Ibrox – and he lived five minutes down the road from me.

“We were both Rangers fans so we dreamed about it – luckily I’ve achieved it and if it works out the way I want, hopefully he’ll join me."

Now that it’s clear that obviously won’t happen, Allan is looking forward to the prospect of going up against his pal rather than standing next to him and putting all the hype around his future behind him.

“He obviously needs to look after his own best interests and that’s what I’ve done,” said the former West Brom man. “He’s been fine with me. He is someone I have known a long time and he will respect my decision as well.

“What did he say to me? He just said: Good luck.

“It’s football, isn’t it? This is the decision I made for my best interests. I’m sure there will be other players who go on to do well for them.”

He added: “I just want to put it to bed now, get on the training park and start working hard.

“I just lost a wee bit of focus here and there, but at the end of the day it’s just part of the job. I’m delighted to be a Celtic player now and I look forward to working hard.”

While the attention, talk and spotlight will no doubt remain on Allan for some time, he is keen to show off the credentials that helped make him such a sought after target in the first place.

During his press conference, Allan frequently spoke about his best interests and his development. It is clear his eyes are open to the hard work ahead if he is to become the player he and Ronny Deila believes he can become.

“When I spoke to him, he told me his plans for me,” said Allan. “I think he is the right man to progress my game and, as I said, the reason I came here is because I think it is the best place for me to develop as a footballer.

“‘The manager just told me that I have the work-rate in my game then the other side I’ve got is the easy part. He thinks I can become a much better player.

“I believe in my own ability and the chance to train with better players is only going to make you better player. Most of my play is reading other people’s moves and picking my passes. Celtic have the quality here to allow me to do more of that.

“I am older now and have learned a lot from my experiences down south. I took everything on board and wasn’t going to let this chance pass me by.”