Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet hits back at 'laughable' John Collins comments on work rate

Nisbet, who scored Hibs’ first goal and played a key role in their second in the 2-0 victory at Hampden, said that Collins’s remarks were ‘laughable’.

And he said that is borne out not only by his impressive showing at the national stadium, but in the way he has turned his career around over the past few seasons.

“I read them [the comments] and don't know what he's thinking there,” Nisbet said.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I just ignored it – it doesn't really matter to me.

“I don't think being lazy is something that could ever be labelled against me.

“From where I've come from, I've worked really hard in the last few years. In fact, I think it's my worth ethic that's got me here.

“For him to say that, it's just laughable to be honest.”

Nisbet caused havoc for the United defence all afternoon along with Christian Doidge and Martin Boyle, and he thinks that if the Hibs attacking trio can keep firing, they have every chance of lifting the Scottish Cup.

“The second goal summed up the season for us three,” he said. “The link-up was great.

“Boyley coming on to it, into me, back to Boyley, through to Doidgey and goal.

“I just think we've been the focal point for us this season. We've taken it on our shoulders to score the goals and we've kept producing.

“Now we're in a Scottish Cup final. And we feel really confident that we can go on to win it. We're a team that looks hungry.

“We're delighted to get there and we believe we can win it. We don't care who we get, it'll be up to us on the day.”

The match had been billed as a shootout between Nisbet and United Lawrence Shankland for a place in the Scotland squad for the upcoming European Championships, but the forward is keeping his feet on the ground.

“Scotland is always on my mind but I need to keep it there for now,” he said.

“We have some huge games coming up. That’s the full focus for me.”