Hibs squad make Collins apology

Hibernian's players have made an apology and given their backing to John Collins.

Hibernian's playing staff have made a public apology and given their full backing to manager John Collins after reports of a revolt at Easter Road.

The Scottish club's first team squad and managerial staff met on Monday after a group of rebel players complained to chairman Rod Petrie about Collins's methods on the training ground and team selection.

The row rumbled on before and after Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final draw with Dunfermline, but captain Rob Jones has now attempted to draw a line under the controversy by insisting that any issues have been ironed out.

"The first team squad met with the manager and assistant manager today," Jones said in a statement.

"The meeting was very positive, and I am speaking for the squad when I say that we are all very happy with the outcome.

"We will not be going into detail about the content of that meeting - that should stay in the dressing room.

"However we would like to take the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the club and state our 100 per cent backing for the management team."

The players made their contentious complaint whilst Collins was away in France, but Jones has underlined that at no point did any of the squad call for the manager to be dismissed.

"While we accept that the actions of the players have generated a huge amount of media interest, as a squad we were deeply disappointed that someone chose to make the issue public," Jones added.

"While we understand that, we believe it is important to set the record straight in one important regard.

"At no point did the players ask for, or seek in any way, the removal of the management.

"I would like to reassure everyone that this will never happen again as long as I am in the dressing room.

"We apologise to the management, supporters and board of the club for any distress or embarrassment that has been caused."

Collins' reaction to the meeting was to underline that he remains firmly in control at Easter Road.

"The majority of the talking was done by myself and Tommy Craig (assistant manager)," Collins told Scotland Today.

"The players did a lot of listening and we listened as well of course.

"We will go forward. Me and Tommy will always be the bosses. We we will always make the decisions - the decisions that are right for the football team -as we have done."