Dundee striker Sean Higgins reckons he owed fans the sensational free-kick that helped keep their title hopes alive because the last time he scored a similar goal it consigned the Dark Blues to remaining in the first division.
The stunning strike in the win over Ayr United bore similarities to one he inflicted upon Dundee 13 months ago when, with the last kick of the game, he grabbed Ross County an equaliser at Victoria Park which all but killed off the Dark Blues’ title challenge.
He admitted the fans have waited a long time for him to repeat the feat to their benefit.
“I got a similar one against Dundee last year which more or less crushed their title hopes,” he said. “And I suppose you could say that helped me get my move here. I guess the Dundee fans were happy to see me doing the business for them this time from a free-kick.
“It takes a bit of practice getting free-kicks right. But a lot of the boys stay behind after training each day so it’s enjoyable and becomes quite competitive.
“Actually, a couple of them fell out with me for insisting I took the kick against Ayr. Richie Hart was desperate to take it but I just made it mine.
“I managed to get it up and over the wall and to see it hit the top corner was very pleasing.”CriticalInverness’s win against Morton on Tuesday night means Dundee have a seven-point lead to claw back in the title race. It means victories in the run-in starting at Partick on Saturday are critical.
But Higgins is optimistic the collective, committed approach being demanded by the new management set-up will see them give their all.
And in keeping with that he is ready to accept being returned to the roll of substitute now that Leigh Griffiths is available again following suspension.
“Chis and Doddsy want us to get in people’s faces and not give them time on the ball,” he said. “And that pressing game worked well against Ayr.
“Now we are attacking the ball as a team, not in dribs and drabs.
“All we want to do is win the league. We’ve got five cup finals left now and know what we have to do.
“Hopefully I’ll stay in the team and be involved in them all. But if I need to play a part from the bench then so be it.”
Dundee beat Ayr without main men Griffiths and Gary Harkins and according to Higgins that proved they are not overly dependent on that pair.
He said, “Griffiths and Harkins are two quality players. And they make things happen. But I don’t think you could say that we rely on them too much.”