Performance art

There may, just may, be another reason for the statement. Collins is not a man struggling with the demons of self-doubt as befits a man who once scored against Brazil in a World Cup finals. It places him squarely in the firing line of the media.

"I don't enjoy the negative side, the media slants," he says of his introduction to management after an illustrious playing career with Hibs, Celtic, Everton and Monaco. "There is a chipping away at you, an effort to knock you.

It is very much part of our society. There are petty remarks about personalities, but I dwell on the positives."

This bright side is illuminated by the sunshine on Leith that reflects from a gleaming piece of silverware won in spectacular fashion at Hampden against Kilmarnock last month.

The CIS Insurance Cup victory was a splendid vindication of Collins, his style and his team. Minutes into the interview he commits managerial heresy when speaking about that 5-1 victory and football in general. "There is a danger in this game that all people talk about is the result.

"For John Collins, it is about the result and the performance. They go together. If we play poorly and we win, trust me, I'm not happy.

"The real happiness comes from performing and getting the result. If you just strive to get a result any old way, then we're not on the right road. But if you are demanding a performance, getting a performance, then the results will come. It's been proved . . . we've won a cup."

His views on how football has changed since he started are quiet and understated. "More media, television coverage has lifted up a level . . . stadiums are nicer."

But he adds: "Players are pretty similar to when I was playing in terms of attitude."

He admits diet and preparation are better than they were, though Collins was always in the vanguard of those who sought to improve their performances and prolong their careers through proper living.

It is a culture that thrives at Hibs. "The boys eat healthily. They have breakfast and lunch at the club and we encourage them to live their life correctly when they are away from the ground.

"Being a footballer is about a lifestyle, it's not about turning up for training for a couple of hours and then living like the rest of the population."

Collins has tweaked things since the departure of Tony Mowbray to West Bromwich Albion. "I've change lots of little things but nothing major. But it's the little things that make the difference."

He is, though, at his most passionate when talking about his philosophy of football. Collins may be cool and composed on the touchline and in the press conference but sparks fly when he articulates his beliefs.

"I want my teams to play football the way I think it should be played," he starts steadily, "which is played out from the back through midfield. It's my philosophy, it was how I was brought up to play, and it was how I enjoyed playing."

The words gather pace and the argument gains momentum as he continues: "When I watch the best teams in the world, the ones that win World Cups or Champions Leagues, they play the ball on the ground . . . pass and move, pass and move."

He ends almost with a religious fervour: "That's my beliefs, my philosophy. That's how we train every day. We deal with the ball, how to be comfortable with it in possession. My players get the same message, week in, week out: go out and play, take responsibility on the pitch, get the ball and pass and move."

It is the hardest way to play. It requires technique and a moral courage. But Collins insists: "It's the most rewarding style . . . scoring goals and having fans on the edge of their seats." He speaks of the "joy" he feels when his team "do it right".

He adds: "We must play with no fear. I don't want the players going on the park with their bodies tense, treating the ball like a hot potato.

"We work every day on our ball skills and we try to execute on a Saturday what we have been practising. It doesn't always work out the way we want. But we will always, I stress always, ask them to play football with their feet."

This faith has its trials. Scottish pitches at this time of the year are not conducive to passing football. Players, too, are fallible. Collins says: "I've go to have patience. Players will make mistakes, give the ball away. Pitches now are bumpy and the ball bobbles up. It does affect us. It slows up our play.

"We use the pitch. We use the grass. A lot of clubs don't use the grass. We can lose goals by trying to play the right way, through bobbles or interceptions. I will accept that. Some of the fans might get frustrated and scream to get the ball up the park but that's not the way me and Tommy Craig, his assistant see it. I don't enjoy watching the ball fly through the air. My team won't play that kind of football.

"It might cost me my job, it might cost results. But that is the way it will be in a John Collins team."

He adds: "I want to transmit a calmness to my players. If I am on the touchline shouting and bawling . . .what good is that? As long as they are trying to do the right thing, I will give them a clap."

He emphasises the merits of passion, controlled aggression and clear thinking. All that is evident in Collins as he views a team that he believes is primed for further progress.

The influential Scott Brown is off in the summer but Collins is optimistic about the prospects at Easter Road.

"We have a terrific under-17 group, very, very strong in talent," he says. "Lewis Stevenson has come into the midfield and excelled. Ross Chisholm made an impressive debut against St Mirren in midweek. I'm happy because we are doing the right work."

And what of management?

"I am thoroughly enjoying it, I love it," he says succinctly.

He then pauses and adds: "You've got to stick to your beliefs in life. I've got firm beliefs. They won't change. I'll do it the way I want to do it, not the way people think I should do it. I'll sink or swim by my beliefs."

He is swimming now. Though not, apparently, towards Barra.