The midfielder left Hibs this summer but has so far been unable to secure a signing at an alternative club.
He believes his health – a heart condition and diabetes – has been ‘an issue’ for some teams casting doubt over his future, but he insists after the advice of three separate medical experts, he still has something to offer.
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Hide Ad"There's life left in me. I need to be playing. Since being diagnosed with the heart condition a few years ago, it's thrown doubt in there for some of the clubs. I know the way chairmen think. One million per cent it would be an issue for some teams. I've worked so hard to get back,” he wrote in a column for BBC Scotland.
"I went to three separate cardiologists. One from London, one from Leeds, one from America. When we took into account the diabetes, we found a way that meant I wouldn't have to retire.
“I've had the condition all my career, but it just got to a point where it showed up. I had already played 10 years of professional football with that and type-1 diabetes. What I have done to get back fit is nullify that problem.”
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Allan accepts he may have to take a step back to move forwards – before leaving Easter Road he spent time on loan in the Championship at Inverness, but rather than retire he “wanted to do everything in my power to continue”.
He added: “The type of player I am, I need six games to get up to speed and you'll see the best of me. I don't feel I was given that opportunity in the last season or so. That's been the problem - there's no momentum gathered.
“When teams look at it, you don't have minutes under the belt, combined with the fact you have a heart problem - which is now all fine - they look and go, 'maybe we'll go for someone else'.
"My next place needs to be right in all aspects. It might not be as glamorous as I want, but to get back playing - that's what I need to do.”
