Why Hibs swerved the Lowland League as club pitch alternative to Celtic, Rangers and Hearts' thinking

Celtic, Rangers and Hearts will all be allowed to enter 'B' teams into the Lowland League next season but the Easter Road side are taking a different approach.

Steve Kean has revealed why Hibernian are not exploring the option of entering a 'B' team into the Lowland League. Celtic, Rangers and now Hearts have all been granted permission to enter 'colts' teams into Scotland's fifth tier for next season despite some resentment from sections of Scottish football.

However the Hibs academy chief insists there are better alternatives for the Leith club to explore as he pointed to the fact the availability of players for first team matches is a key factor in their decision making.

Kean told BBC Sportsound: "In all honesty, the main reason was we feel if we can play games on a Tuesday evening or afternoon, some of those against English teams... the 1875 friendly competition against Brentford, Middlesbrough, QPR, Huddersfield, Blackburn, different types of games as well as playing in the reserve league and cup, then also the UEFA Youth League. We feel that playing on a Tuesday the players can also be available to be involved with the first team on a Saturday if they can catch the manager's eye during the week. That's one of the massive reasons, it's the pathway.

"We feel that pathway is slightly easier that they're not playing in the Lowland League. They play Tuesday and are available for Saturday.

Ex-footballer turned pundit Kenny Miller then asked Kean if players impressed in the Lowland League on a Saturday, could they not be involved with the first team the following week as he challenged the Easter Road club's thinking.

He added: "They could Kenny, but we feel that if you're taking part in the Lowland and are part of that squad, the likelihood of you being on the bench (for the first team), you'd have to come out of that totally, whereas we can get the boys even if they were playing in these high calibre games.

"If you're playing Brentford, QPR or Blackburn U23s, it's a good level as well as the domestic reserve league. If they're playing on a Tuesday, I think they can come off after an hour and they'll still have minutes in the legs to even start a first team game, if required.

"We just feel that is a better way for us."

And former Blackburn Rovers boss Kean admitted he is happy with his role at the Easter Road club despite continued links to a return to first team management.

He said: The thing is when you are actually running the academy, you are running a whole other part of the club. We've got 131 players in the academy, we've got a very big staff.

"I've got a big job here and the reason I came was the passion that Ben Kensell and Ron Gordon and Ian Gordon showed to this department. Otherwise I wouldn't have came.

"So I'm very very happy but you never know if something in the future happens."