The build-up to the tie at Hampden was dominated by reports of a player revolt against manager John Collins, with first team stars complaining to chairman Rod Petrie about training methods and team selection.

News of disharmony at the club would have come as a shock to Hibs fans, who are still basking in the glow of last month's CIS Insurance Cup success, when Collins delivered their first silverware in 16 years.

Collins opted not to face the assembled media following today's stalemate, instead leaving Craig to deal with questions regarding the management team's relationship with their own players.

And, despite last week's attempts to play down any rifts at the club, the Hibs number two finally conceded there are more difficult days ahead for the Edinburgh outfit.

"Every day you go into the club, issues will crop up," he said. "I'm not saying there aren't issues to sort out but that's all I'm going to say.

"Most clubs like to keep things in-house and any problems that we have had, or will have in the future, will be kept in-house.

"It's been a tough week. Football is the best job in the world but it can get tough. The tougher it gets, the more you try to stand up.

"I wouldn't change it for anything. We've got through the week and we've still got a chance to win the tie."

The Hibs job is Collins' first management role after replacing Tony Mowbray earlier in the season but, asked whether he fears Collins will crack under the pressure, Craig replied: "Absolutely not."

And he has every faith in the rookie boss to carve out a successful career in management.

He added: "There is no doubt about it. It's interesting to hear that people are casting doubts on his managerial ability.

"He's only five months in the job. I've worked with him for five months and he shows every sign of being a meticulous planner, a searcher of high standards.

"He accepts that he will make mistakes in the future. But he is just another young manager making his way in the game.

"If you are asking me what the signs are, I think the signs are very positive."

Some players, in particular Michael Stewart, were conspicuous by their absence in today's squad but Craig denied team selection was influenced by the problems behind the scenes.

He said: "We would never make a selection outwith football reasons ever.

"Michael has been in the team and on the bench on occasions in the last six to eight weeks, as have another four or five.

"It was a football decision to leave out Shelton Martis, Dean Shiels, Ross Campbell and Michael Stewart.

"We, at this moment in time, feel that we can call upon any player at the club and feel that we will get a response.

"We go back to Easter Road and we regroup now.

"We get them to train the way they have been training for the past week and we come back here a week on Tuesday and try to finish off the business."

Fans at Hampden chanted Collins's name before the game and Craig added: "The fans were magnificent again today.

"Before the game, during the warm-up, they voiced their opinions by way of applause and it was delightful to listen to.

"He was delighted to see the numbers and the response he was given just by walking out to the edge of the tunnel."

The replay will take place on Tuesday, April 24 and Hibs will be hoping goalkeeper Andrew McNeil is back in action by then.

He suffered a head knock shortly before the break and was replaced by Simon Brown for the second half under doctor's orders after suffering from double vision.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny has spoken of the heartache behind Phil McGuire's impressive first-half performance today.

McGuire was withdrawn at half-time after making a decent contribution and Kenny revealed he had suffered a family bereavement ahead of the game.

He said: "Phil suffered a slight knock but he also had a family bereavement so there were a number of factors in the decision to take him off."

The Pars boss insisted every single one of his players deserved pass-marks for their battling display against Hibs.

He said: "I was proud of our commitment and our attitude.

"They showed determination and persistence, they were mentally strong and their concentration was high.

"Even though Hibs had more possession, we probably had the clearer-cut chances."