Higgy: It was all my fault

Aug 10 2008 By Mark Guidi

SPOT-KICK sinner Michael Higdon last night shouldered the blame for Falkirk's defeat by Rangers.

The striker had a great chance to fire the Bairns ahead but Allan McGregor saved his 49th-minute penalty.

And Andrius Velicka heaped on the agony for Higdon by netting the winner 14 minutes later.

The burly Scouser was gutted and admitted: "The penalty miss was a disaster. If I had scored at that point it would have been a totally different game.

"I hit it well enough but the keeper got to it. After that my head was down.

"We battered Rangers, passed themoff the park and just didn't make their keeper work hard enough."

Bairns boss John Hughes refused to blame Higdon but said: "The penalty miss turned the game a bit.

"Michael is a wonderful guy and was brave enough to take it. Paddy Cregg also wanted it but Michael was in there first.

"I just wish he would have put his laces through it. The miss was probably the story of our day. We lacked conviction and belief in the final third.

"Some of the boys need to be braver. You might get hurt but that's football.

"Yes, we played some nice football. We'll receive plaudits and pats on the back - but we got nothing.

"However, I'm more inspired than downbeat. Some of the lads were brilliant and Jackie McNamara strolled through the game.

"Scott Arfield and Lee Bullen also played well and I was proud of my boys.

"Rangers were always going to be dangerous despite their midweek result. We limited them to few chances but you have to take yours.

"If we play like that it should be good enough to beat most SPL teams."

MATCH STATS

Shots on 2

Shots off 4

Fouls 7

Offside 1

Corners 11

Breakings 8

Shots on 5

Shots off 3

Fouls 12

Offside 2

Corners 4

Breakings 3

REF MATCH

DOUGIE McDonald had a fine start to the season and got through the 90 minutes without any blunders. Controlled the game and communicated well with the players. Rating: 7/10.