Hibs scorers Steven Fletcher, Rob Jones and Abdessalam Benjelloun

"Sixteen years is a long time to wait for a trophy for a club like this," he told BBC Sport after the 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the final.

"Hopefully, it won't be another 16 years before we win another one.

"I thought we had a poor first half and Kilmarnock had us under pressure. But, once we got the second goal, we grew in confidence and showed our class."

Interview: Hibernian manager John Collins

Interview: Hibs player Lewis Stevenson

Captain Rob Jones led the way with the opening goal, while Steven Fletcher and Abdessalam Benjelloun both scored doubles.

"It is a special moment, but the players have worked hard since I arrived at the club in October and deserve it," said Collins.

To win the way did was just unbelievable Hibernian captain Rob Jones

The manager had special praise for young goalkeeper Andrew McNeil and teenage midfielder Lewis Stevenson.

"The goalkeeper made a wonderful save in the first half, while Lewis Stevenson at 19 was sensational," said Collins.

Stevenson thought he would have to make way for more experienced players for the Hampden showpiece.

"I was not expecting to be playing, never mind be named man of the match," he said.

"It just seems like a normal game. It will be afterwards that it will all sink in."

For captain Jones it justified his summer move from Grimsby Town.

"I could not have wished for a better first year at the club," he said.