Scott Allan insists insists the fact that Hibs head coach Neil Lennon has made him a better player is another reason to return to Easter Road this summer.
The 26-year-old’s second stint at the Leith outfit has come to an end after the midfielder returned to Hibs on loan from Celtic in January.
Allan scored three goals in 12 starts to help Lennon’s side clinch a fourth place finish in their first campaign back in the Premiership and admits the former Celtic boss has helped improve his game.
The playmaker has not hidden his desire to prolong his stay in Edinburgh and is hoping both Hibs and his parent club can reach an agreement over the final 12 months of his contract with the Hoops.
Allan said: “I’ve loved every minute here and I think I’ve become a better player since I’ve been back the second time.
“I’ve added goals to my game and work rate, all those types of things under the gaffer and it’s really been beneficial for me.
“The fans have taken to me again and that’s a big plus.
“Staying here would be my preferred option. It’s not just down to me, the clubs will need to come to an agreement.
“I’ll need to go back to Celtic for pre-season training and then take it from there.
“This is a place close to my heart. I’m really comfortable here and hopefully we can get something sorted over the summer.”
Allan earned a move to Celtic from Hibs in summer 2015 after enjoying a stand out season under then manager Alan Stubbs.
And the Glasgow-born player insists Hibs have made vast improvements on and off the pitch since then.
He added: “The club has come forward ten-fold since I was last here and that’s down to the manager, (chief executive) Leeann Dempster, (head of football operations) George Craig and most of all the players that they have recruited – and that’s massive considering where the club was four years ago.
“People forget that Hibs were playing in the Championship last season because they’ve went about their business brilliantly.
“As a club we’re moving in the right direction, the stadium is packed out every second week and it’s a great place to be at the moment.”
