LEE JOHNSON admits he did NOT apply to become the next Hibs manager.

The ex-Hearts and Kilmarnock player was appointed as the man to replace Shaun Maloney at Easter Road last month.

Maloney, who was in his first managerial job, was sacked after just four months in charge at Hibs. 

He was the successor to Jack Ross, who was harshly dismissed just one week prior to a cup final against Celtic.

And Johnson admits he did have reservations about taking the Hibs job because of the treatment of those two managers. 

But he also revealed they're now firmly a thing of the past. 

He told BBC Sportsound: "Originally I didn't apply for the Hibs job.

"I had an external perception of what I thought was the case. Jack Ross was the manager, very successful, a good, genuine man, and then the new manager comes in, a bit of a rookie in management but a well renowned coach.

"Both of us need stability. I was lucky, I was the longest serving manager at Bristol City, five years in the Championship, and when that happens you can really start to build.

"We had nearly £100million of player sales as Bristol City and that comes from a consistency in development, playing style, the structure and the emotional development of the players. You can make good decisions.

"I think when you inherit a squad where two or three managers have had their input, it can be difficult, and you need three or four windows at least to iron it out.

"But at the same time, it's a fantastic football club. And once I got over that hurdle, there was never any reservations about the size and history of the club, or coming into Scotland. It's a brilliant challenge for me.

"I've always loved the football here. It's a passionate place, it's a goldfish bowl, all the managers know each other and the SFA is a tight-knit group.

"It's something I always wanted to do and when the opportunity arose, it felt absolutely natural to take it."