The Parkhead club and their fans were enraged by referee Steven McLean's failure to award a penalty against Inverness defender Josh Meekings when he blocked Leigh Griffiths' goal-bound header with his hand just before the interval with the Hoops leading 1-0.
The Highlanders came back to win 3-2 in extra-time to deprive Ronny Deila's side the chance of the treble and set up a meeting with Falkirk in the May 30 final.
The Scottish Premiership leaders released a statement on Monday revealing they were "seeking an understanding" of the failure to penalise Meekings.
Ahead of the trip to Dundee on Wednesday night,
Hoops assistant Collins explained the reason behind the question while insisting Celtic have already "moved on".
"We want a simple answer," he said. "If you are looking for an answer you ask a question.
"Everyone knows it was a key moment in the game. It didn't go our way and we are just asking why.
"We have a massive support all over the world. The supporters are all asking the question so the club has probably asked on behalf of all the supporters around the world.
"The first thing I have to say is we congratulate Inverness and John Hughes, they have done a fantastic job and we wish them all the best in the final.
"We are just looking for an answer but trust me, we have moved on."
Griffiths said afterwards that referee McLean had told him assistant Alan Muir, stationed behind the goal line just yards away from the incident, had said he saw the ball hitting Meekings' face, an explanation that Collins would accept.
The former Celtic midfielder said: "If that is what he saw then that is an answer. You have an answer, fine, you move on.
"It would be nice to know (what was said at the time) but I reiterate, we have got to move on. We are not going to change the result, that's gone."
Collins would also accept that none of the officials saw a hand ball.
"If that's what they say, of course, we have got to accept that," said the former Scotland player who said that "without a doubt" decisions balanced themselves out over the season.
When asked why Celtic had aired their grievance in public, Collins replied: "I don't know why the club has made it public but they have decided to do it so I have to back them and support them, don't I?"
"Many clubs write letters and contact the FA for an answer, we are not the only one.
"It was a key moment in a massive game in a massive season and if the correct decision was given, then we would be in the cup final.
"That is why the question has been asked, it wasn't just any other game."
Collins seemed to be on more sure ground when he declared himself "100 per cent" in favour of video evidence.
He said: "It helps the referee. And two wonderful words we have in football and we keep hearing them. Fair play.
"What makes it fairer than video evidence helping the referee and the correct decision being made? It keeps it clean, doesn't it?"
Turning to the trip to Dens Park, the Parkhead number two insisted that "nobody feels sorry for themselves" at the club and is looking for the Hoops to stretch their lead at the top of the table over Aberdeen to eight points with five games remaining.
"There are always disappointments and the making of the player and man is how they react," he said.
"We have a big game on Wednesday night and we are looking for the players to bounce back."
"We are still in a good position and are still having a good season."
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