Career
Hibs signed Kean from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy as an outside left. Kean made his senior debut on 14 August 1937, in a Scottish League match against Queen"s Park. Kean made one appearance for Scotland during the war.
When competitive football resumed after the war, Kean was an important figure supporting the Famous Five forward line.
Kean represented the Scottish League once, in April 1947. Kean ceased his playing career after the 1948-1949 season and then worked for Hibs as an assistant trainer.
He moved to Dundee in the late 1950s, assisting Bob Shankly with their league championship winning team in 1962. Kean was credited with the signing of Gordon Smith, as the pair had a working relationship dating back to shifts in the Leith shipyards during the war.
Kean also coached Falkirk and Partick Thistle.
Kean worked for the Gas Board for the rest of his working life. Besides football, he was also a keen golfer and lawn bowls player.