Kevin Nisbet fired Hibs to the Scottish Cup Final then branded John Collins LAUGHABLE for calling him lazy.
The Scotland ace hit the opener for Jack Ross’s side in their 2-0 semi-final victory over Dundee United at Hampden.
Christian Doidge sealed their place on May 22 against either St Johnstone or St Mirren with a second-half strike.
Last week ex-Hibees boss Collins accused Nisbet of not working hard enough without the ball.
But the frontman insists that’s nonsense – because he’s had to graft his way to the top.
Nisbet said: “I read the comments and I don’t know what he’s thinking there. 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.
“I’m delighted today. We’ve lost two semi-finals this season and we didn’t want to have that feeling again, it was horrible.
“But we are through to the final and it’s up to us to go and win it now.”
Nisbet’s gaffer agreed with him and praised his striker’s attitude after Hibs reached the final.
Boss Ross said afterwards: “I know my players, I get to work with them every day.
“I know their strengths but I also know their weaknesses and the things they have to improve upon. I articulate that to them and they trust my opinion and judgement, that’s the one that matters to them.
“He was good today Kevin, but he’s been good all season, so let’s talk young players up sometimes as well.”
Ross was delighted to see off United and deservedly progress to the final. And he revealed that he’ll continue to wear his ‘lucky’ green jumper on May 22 in the hope of lifting the trophy.
The Hibs manager said: “I’m under pressure all the time to wear Hibs branded gear in the dugout and I am never going to do that.
“So I bought this a couple of weeks ago and thought, ‘it’s green, that’s a good starting point’. I actually wasn’t going to wear it today then decided to, so I am pretty sure it’s coming out on Cup Final day. It has to stay now.
“I know the club has been in semi-finals regularly but you have to be in them to win them or lose them. And in fairness we have kept coming back. In my time we have come back to three in a row and I would have taken any kind of win today.
“I wouldn’t have cared if we were rubbish but got into the final. But we were really good.
“We gave a performance that was reflective of us this season and I am so pleased for the players and staff. I’m so proud of them.
“I have pushed the players so hard this season to try and finish third and win a cup. They have had a brilliant season already but it could be an absolutely outstanding one.”
