Tommy Craig and John Collins face a cup semi-final replay

Hibs were rocked by internal strife ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Dunfermline.

But assistant manager Craig said: "We would never make a selection outwith football reasons, ever.

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

A group of players met Hibs chairman Rod Petrie last Monday, while Collins was in France, to voice concerns about training methods and team selection.

The news overshadowed the build-up to Sunday's game and, following the 0-0 draw, Collins admitted that there were some players he could no longer trust.

Reports suggested that Collins would hold a meeting of his own with Petrie on Monday in an attempt to iron out any problems - and that a statement would follow.

I will make it my priority to make sure something like this never happens again Hibernian captain Rob Jones

But the manager told BBC Sport that the club is unlikely to make any public utterances in the short term.

And Craig remained positive ahead of next Tuesday's replay against Dunfermline.

"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," he said.

"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.

"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.

"But we've got through the week and we've still got a chance to win the tie."

Craig backed Collins to survive the furore and be a success in his first management role.

"He's only five months in the job," said the assistant.

"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."

Hibs captain Rob Jones insisted that the row was now in the past.

"The dressing-room was more unified than ever," he said. "We are all going in the right direction.