Neil Lennon to give youth a chance in final three games of season

Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2017 by PA

Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon will utilise his squad and give young players a chance in their final three Ladbrokes Championship games of the season.

With the title wrapped up, Lennon is set to look to to the future in games against Raith Rovers, Ayr and St Mirren, who are all battling relegation.

Ahead of the visit of Rovers, Lennon told Hibs TV: "I would like to break 70 points but I am going to use the squad on Wednesday. I think that's important.

"First of all some players need a rest mentally and physically, and some of the other squad players deserve an opportunity to play.

"There is no pressure on them, it's not like they are not playing for their futures or anything, but I feel they need that experience of playing. I will try and give some development players an opportunity and the fringe players will start."

Lennon revealed Dylan McGeouch's season was over following a groin strain, while Paul Hanlon is unlikely to feature again amid a pelvic problem.

Lennon added: "They are going to play against three very hungry, desperate teams. For some of the players who have been out injured it will be great to get back out there into first-team action and for some of the younger players it will be a real eye-opener, but hopefully a positive experience.

"I am very pleased with what I see coming through, for the first time in a while we've got some potential first-team players in the development team and some of them deserve the opportunity to play."

However, he insists they will not take the games lightly and is eager to secure a first win of the season against John Hughes' side.

"We have had three draws and really we should have won all three, so let's put it right if we can," he said. "We owe it to the other clubs around Raith to be competitive and we will be."