Higgy thriving on abuse

"Hopefully I can just keep putting one in the back of the net every time we play them.

Kallum Higginbotham made over 60 appearances for Falkirk in an 18 month period from July 2010 until he signed for Huddersfield Town in January 2012.

Long before he crossed the divide to sign for the Pars Kallum was getting the `treatment` that former players tend to receive when they return to a former club to play against them for their new employers. To score in both matches at The Falkirk Stadium this season was therefore a particular personal pleasure. His 24th minute opener may have been assisted by a wicked deflection but he was delighted to score there yet again.

"I did enjoy my goal, I am not going to lie, they gave me dog`s abuse and I think it is right that the player can give a little bit back. I thought a few of them were going to jump the boards and run on the pitch."

Kallum was in the last Falkirk team to lose at home to Dunfermline just over seven years ago, indeed he played four times against Dunfermline with Falkirk and was never in a winning team. That is unlikely however to be the reason for the hard times now meted out to him by the Bairns fans. He claimed it is all part and parcel of the game.

"I loved my time when I was there, I don`t have a bad word to say about the club but if they are giving me stick I am going to give it back, it is as simple as that.

"I don`t understand where it has come from. I know obviously when you sign for the rivals they are going to look at you in a bad light. It really started last year when I came here with Kilmarnock in the play offs. They were booing me in the warm up so I just love scoring against them and getting it up the fans.

"Hopefully I can just keep putting one in the back of the net every time we play them. That is two this season so I think I have come out on top."

Both Dunfermline`s goals against Falkirk on Saturday were scored by former Falkirk players. As well as Kallum, Fraser Aird hit the net as well. The goalscorers are important but as every one understands it was the win that was of paramount importance.

"To come here and get the three points was what we wanted. We know how much it means to the fans and how much it means to the club regardless of what is at stake in the league.

"It was vital that we got the three points, we got that and looking at the other results in the league they have all gone our way. We are just hitting form at the right time and hopefully come the end of the season we are in the play offs and we can carry that form on."

After he had shot the Pars ahead from a 28th minute penalty, Kallum` red card on the last visit to The Falkirk Stadium swung the game and made it impossible for Allan Johnston`s side after the 56th minute sending off. Kallum was keen make amends:-

"I let the boys down that day. I scored that game, got sent off and we dropped two points. I wanted to score this time and contribute to us getting a massive three points. That is what I wanted and luckily it has come about that way.

"Dundee United and Morton got beat so it was a perfect day all round. We still have three massive games and we must go out, win them and see where it takes us. We want the play offs and if we win those three games then we will be in the play offs."

The atmosphere at Falkirk on Saturday was something special but Kallum praised the role of the loyal Pars supporters:-

"The fans have been like that all season, they have travelled in their numbers everywhere we have gone. They are fantastic fans, but when you are not playing well they let you know.

"I am just enjoying being back in the side, contributing to the great run that we are on at the minute, long may that continue."

The fan base is certainly at a Premier League level and Kallum reminded everyone that he has been saying all season that the club, with its infrastructure deserves to be back up where it belongs.

"I believe that it belongs there and I think we are on a great run at the minute and if that continues then we know that we have a great chance of doing it.

"I can`t put my finger on what went wrong just before and after Christmas. You just can`t get a win but something has clicked.

"There is a great team spirit at the minute and we are going into every game no matter who we are playing, believing that we can go out and get those three points. We have picked up at the right time and we will see where that takes us."

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