DUNFERMLINE winger Kallum Higginbotham reckons Falkirk ‘let their fans down massively’ in the last derby but expects his old side to be well fired up for Saturday’s clash.
Higginbotham knows plenty about the combustible fixture, having experienced it from both sides of the Forth rivalry, and is desperate to end up on the winning team again.
The 29-year-old had to watch the last encounter from the stand last month following a hernia operation but was left stunned by the Bairns’ tame performance in Dunfermline’s 2-0 victory.
However, the former Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock attacker, who spent two seasons with Falkirk, is fully anticipating more of a battle in the rematch at East End Park.
He said: “I would say it was probably our best performance of the season when we played them through there.
“Albeit, I thought Falkirk were very poor – not in terms of quality but in terms of lacking fight and that bit of grit that you need in a derby. I just didn’t see it from the Falkirk side that day.
“They brought a lot of boys up from down south and they probably didn’t understand how important this game is, not only to the players but also to everyone connected with both clubs.
RUDE AWAKENING
“For me watching on, as I wasn’t involved in that game, I thought Falkirk let their fans down, massively.
“So, they would have got a rude awakening in that game and I’m sure they’ll be coming here all guns blazing.
“But I believe we’ve got enough quality in our squad to go out there and win the game, especially as it’s at home.
“This should be our fortress, people shouldn’t be coming here and picking up three points, so if I’ve got anything to do with it that won’t be happening.
“We know how bad Falkirk’s run has been since the start of the season but a derby’s a derby and it will be two teams fighting tooth and nail, and I believe we’ll come out on top.”
