Clyde star Higgins backs boss Ferguson

The Bully Wee are currently third in Ladbrokes League Two, four points behind leaders Forfar, and looking to stake a long-term title challenge.

And if they do, Higgins reckons their success will have a lot to do with their manager’s thorough preparation.

Higgins said: “I think a lot of people were surprised he took a job like Clyde after having a good stint at Blackpool, but he came here and wanted to learn the ropes the right way.

“He’s managed to attract players because boys have heard what his training has been like and how professional it’s been.

“Professionally, some of the things we’ve done at Clyde this season I don’t think some of the top full-time teams in Scotland would do.

“We went away for five days to Jersey and that helped us bond together, and when we played Brora away we left at four o’clock on the Friday.

“He brings a real professionalism to the club and his training has been top-notch. I’m sure if Clyde can do well as a team, then the gaffer will do the same.”

Higgins was part of the Clyde squad that came agonisingly close to promotion last season, only to lose to Queen’s Park in the play-offs.

And the 31-year-old former Dundee and Ross County forward insists there’s a desire to right those wrongs and go one better this year.

He added: “As a team, there’s so much togetherness this year. I don’t know what it is, to be honest, but our main aim is to do one thing and that’s win the league. If we can’t then we’ll try and do it through the play-offs, but that isn’t easy, as we found out last year.

“I think we’ve got a good enough squad to be there or there abouts at the end of the season. We’ve obviously had some big injuries, mainly to Dylan Easton, but we’ve managed to get Scott Ferguson fit and John Paul McGovern will be back soon too.

“The squad’s still strong enough to challenge to win the league but, obviously, there’s a lot of football to be played.

“There are a lot of good teams in the division and anybody could be in there.

“But, having said that, I’ve played in every league in Scotland, so I’ve seen a lot of different standards and there’s definitely a few boys in this team who can take the step up to a higher level.

“It’s quite a young side, with experienced guys like myself and Scott McLaughlin thrown in, but if Scott Ferguson comes back as soon as possible, makes sure he doesn’t come back too early, then he’s got a big chance to go further if he puts his mind to it.”

Higgins and his Clyde team-mates are currently second favourites to win the Ladbrokes League Two championship this season, priced at 3/1.