PARTY LIKE IT'S 1998

Higgins looking for a World Cup celebration

- BY CRAIG SWAN

THE first time John Higgins lifted the world title, his beloved Scotland were heading off to the World Cup.

And he' hoping history will be repeating itself.

Higgins kicks off his World Championship campaign today against Ali Carter.

The legend is hunting a stunning fifth triumph in Sheffield with stars potentially aligning for the Wishaw wonder.

But when Higgins clinched his first Crucible title in 1998, he headed off later that year to France to cheer on Craig Brown's squad at the World Cup.

While he may have collected another trio of triumphs since in 2007, 2009 and 2011, his country haven't been back at the football showpiece in the interim period.

Higgins realises his 18-12 win over Ken Doherty for that first Crucible crown times with this year’s World Cup return and said: “Tknow, aye. The last time we got to the World Cup. And I was there. I'm hanging on to that, hanging on to every little omen that could maybe be working its way in the galaxy out there.