Celtic midfielder Scott Allan will head back to Hibernian for a third stint this summer after sealing his Easter Road return with a pre-contract agreement.

The boyhood Rangers fan turned down the chance to sign for his Ibrox heroes when he instead chose to swap Leith for Parkhead in 2015.

But his Hoops gamble has failed to pay off and the 27-year-old is now set to bring a frustrating four-year stay in Glasgow's east end to a close when he moves back to Edinburgh.

Allan has signed a three-year deal to begin in July although the speculation will now centre on whether Hibs boss Neil Lennon can persuade his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers to part with the playmaker early.

For now, the Easter Road manager is just happy to have secured his services for next season.

Lennon told the club's official website: "It's no secret that Scott is a player I admire and wanted back at Hibernian.

"He's a player who suits the attacking brand of football we like to play. The type that gets supporters off their seats.

"We're looking forward to having him back."

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster added: "We're delighted to have been able to come to a pre-contract agreement with Scott.

"It goes without saying that he's a player our supporters hold in the highest regard and we were determined to bring him back to Easter Road.

"It's an arena and a club that brings out the best in Scott and, from speaking to him, it's clear that it means a lot to him."

Allan started his career at Dundee United before earning a move to West Brom.

However a string of injuries hampered his time in England and he returned north in the summer of 2014 as he joined Hibs.

His impressive performances under Alan Stubbs alerted the attentions of the capital clubs and then Ladbrokes Championship rivals Rangers, but Allan shocked the Light Blues by deciding to join their bitter Old Firm rivals in a £275,000 deal.

But he has made just three first-team starts and come off the bench 14 times for Celtic and was farmed out to Rotherham and Dundee on loan before making a temporary move back to Easter Road last January.

Allan has turned out for Hibs on 57 occasions over his two previous spells at the club, netting six goals in total.

Lennon has already secured the services of Ryan Gauld on loan from Sporting Lisbon but is still keen to add more options to his attack.