The 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock at Hampden Park inspired an emotional moment of reflection by the former Scotland midfielder amid post-match scenes of celebration.

Television pictures showed Collins apparently deep in thought as his players paraded the trophy in front of almost 30,000 Hibernian fans who had cheered their side to their first trophy in 16 years.

Rob Jones' first-half opener was added to by second-half doubles from Abdessalam Benjelloun and Steven Fletcher, and while Killie defender Gordon Greer scored to make it 3-1 there was no way back for the Ayrshire side.

Collins' dad, Norman, passed away at the end of January and the Hibs boss admitted his thoughts were with him after the game.

He said: "I lost my father a few months ago and he asked me to win the cup for him. I did it for him.

"My mum Rona was there to see it. She's not been very well and this was the first game she has managed to get to for a while.

"The fans have made sacrifices to support the club and it was great to see them smiling and singing.

"And it doesn't get much better than scoring five in a final.

"But the boys deserve it for their effort. We were fortunate to be 1-0 up at half-time and I told them that.

"But we picked up in the second half and we took confidence from the second goal.

"The fans have waited a long time for this, 16 years, and a generation of Hibs fans haven't seen Hibernian lift a trophy.

"I just hope it isn't another 16 years until we win one again."

Indeed, Collins is hoping his players are inspired to achieve a remarkable cup double this season.

Hibernian play Dunfermline in the semi-finals of the Tennent's Scottish Cup next month and the manager implored his players to make history.

He said: "Hopefully this cup win will drive the players on and make us even better.

"We have had a taste of it and we have another opportunity to get to another final.

"The players are heroes in the city for winning this trophy, I would imagine they would be legends if they could win a second one."

For dejected Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies, it was his second 5-1 defeat in a major final.

Jefferies was Hearts manager in 1996 when they lost 5-1 to Rangers in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

However, two years later the Jambos avenged that humiliation when they beat the Ibrox side 2-1 in the final at Celtic Park.

And the Killie boss is hoping his players can respond in similar fashion after their painful capitulation to the Leith side.

He said: "After I lost 5-1 with Hearts I said to the players to get back there as quickly as possible and try to put it right.

"It's the only thing you can do, although it will be harder for us because Hearts are a bigger club.

"It was a bad day and the players are hurting.

"But I've been there before. If we can get back to a final as quickly as possible then we have a chance to do something about it."

Jefferies admitted the best side won but claimed the scoreline flattered the Easter Road side.

He said: "It wasn't a 5-1 game.

"Hibs deserved to win but I think 3-1 would have been a fairer result.

"We were annoyed that we gave the biggest man in the park (Jones) a free header for the first goal.

"We came out well in the second half but the second goal was important.

"Hibs had a great spell and got a third goal but when we got the goal it looked like it was more likely to go to 3-2 than 4-1.

"But that's what you get when you try to push forward to get back to 3-2.

"When the pressure was off them, they showed how good they can be.

"But the result shouldn't cloud the players' achievements, they have captured a top-six spot and got to a cup final."