Fuming Jack Ross has launched a firm defence of Hibs star men Paul Hanlon, Ryan Porteous and Lewis Stevenson after Charlie Adam questioned their quality.
The Dundee skipper took aim at Stevenson - the only Hibees player ever to have lifted both of Scotland's domestic cup competitions - and Scotland squad members Hanlon and Porteous after their disappointing Beftred Cup semi-final loss.
One BBC Sportsound Adam questioned whether they were good enough to supply silverware to Easter Road.
But those comments drew a curt reply from Ross, who said: "If he is talking about those players and has named those players, that's two who have been in the Scotland squad this season that Steve Clarke saw fit to be in the squad.
"And a guy who is the most-decorated player in the club's history.
"So I'll just let the facts speak for themselves."
However, Ross concedes that his team have a lot of making up to do after the second consecutive Hampden slump, following their Scottish Cup disappointment at the hands of Hearts back in October.
"Supporters are entitled to be frustrated, disappointed and angry at not progressing to the cup final," he confessed.
"But you have to get to that stage of the tournament and we've done that twice to date in the two cup competitions I've been involved in.”
Former Rangers and Liverpool midfielder Adam told Sportsound: "We talk about mentality - that's the reason they're at Hibs. They're good footballers but if they had a bigger mentality, they'd be at bigger clubs.
"We talk about Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson, they've been there a long time but I just don't see enough quality in there.
"They're good players but are they as good as everyone thinks they are going to be? I'm not sure they are."
