Even by deadline day standards, the triangle of transfers between Celtic, Hibs and Dundee was quite something.
Celtic will be happy. They got a young Scottish centre-back their manager rates highly and an experienced Premiership performer to cover their goalkeeping position.
Hibs have gained as well. They traded one reserve keeper for another, lost a striker their manager wasn’t playing and got back a playmaker who produced his best football at Easter road a couple of seasons ago and who, with two match winning displays in the space of four days, has suggested he could produce it again.
But what about Dundee?
Bain clearly isn’t an issue. It doesn’t matter who he plays for – Hibs, Celtic or Real Madrid. It won’t be Dundee again. That ship has sailed.
Simon Murray will strengthen their forward line. He has his faults but should be an improvement on Marcus Haber and Sofien Moussa. Maybe not as big an improvement as Dundee fans would like, but an improvement all the same.
The timing of this Scott Allan move couldn’t have been worse. A few weeks ago, it would have been more palatable.
The fact that he has been the star turn two games running, however, suggested here was a player who could have taken Dundee into the top six of the league, and who knows how far in the Scottish Cup.
Allan’s departure is disappointing but it’s the exit of Jack Hendry that has potential season-changing consequences.
For a team that is built on playing the ball out from the back, to lose your ball playing centre-half is a real concern.
To turn a seven-figure profit on a man who has only been at the place for seven months makes basic financial sense.
To finish a window with your squad weaker than when you started it never makes football sense, though.
