John Higgins shows his true colours as snooker star interrupts to aim dig at Ally McCoist

Scottish snooker star and avid Celtic supporter, John Higgins, took a friendly swipe at Ally McCoist amidst the World Snooker Championship. The 49 year old is currently locked in an 8-8 tie with China's Xiao Guodong as they head into the second session. Despite the high level of focus required by snooker, Higgins managed to slip in a quick jibe at his good friend and Rangers legend, McCoist, during a jovial exchange at the Crucible.

Higgins is aiming for his fifth World Snooker Championship title. Even while fully immersed in the game, Higgins found a moment to chat with TNT commentator Darren Fletcher and close mate McCoist. Despite their camaraderie, the Scottish pair will always have a point of contention, given Higgins' strong allegiance to Celtic and McCoist's status as a Rangers icon.



Higgins made sure his Celtic loyalty was well-known, not just to McCoist, but also to Scottish viewers tuning in from home, as he playfully ribbed the legendary Scottish striker. Their banter turned to a skit where both Fletcher and McCoist claimed they had off-camera replicated and sunk the iconic black ball shot made famous by Dennis Taylor. While Fletcher was sharing an anecdote, Higgins cut in with a quip, suggesting McCoist's pool skills might mirror his football finishing, remarking that he would have then missed the black ball, reports the Mirror .

Fletcher recalled: "We both had a go at Dennis's winning black, and would it surprise you at all to know that Ally...

" But before he could finish, Higgins, visibly sceptical, interposed: "I've watched him enough at the Rangers over the years!". Breakout laughter from McCoist followed as he revealed: "We both got it. The worrying thing is we used Jimmy [White's] cue.

I couldn't believe how light his cue was." Higgins' banter highlighted his Celtic sympathies, a contrast to his rapport with McCoist. He shifted to a more earnest enquiry about McCoist's connection to the who's-who of sports journalism following hints he'd picked up on.

Suspicious of speculation around Tottenham Hotspur courting Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, amidst struggling Spurs incumbent Ange Postecoglou, Higgins queried: "I've just seen reports that [Daniel] Levy is trying to get Brendan Rodgers to go to Tottenham Hotspur – is there any truth in that rumour?" McCoist answered with a hint of mischief: "John, I'll be honest with you mate, I'm trying to get him to go anywhere!". John Higgins spoke candidly after his 10-7 victory over Joe O'Connor, disclosing the emotional struggles he faced due to his father-in-law's recent heart attack. With his family facing tough times, Higgins opted out of the Champions Dinner and Green Carpet ceremony, leading to speculation that he might forgo competing in Sheffield.

Reflecting on his intense emotions and devotion to his family, Higgins remarked: "That was the most emotional I have ever been today. I left my wife and I was in tears." On the home pressures affecting him, he added: "Obviously my father-in-law wasn't great.

I was sitting having dinner with my boy last night and I was thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago. I was drained today." Despite minimal rest, Higgins found the strength to play markedly better: "I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out tonight and felt a lot better and played a lot better.

I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age.".