Michael Temlett
The Wizard of Wishaw John Higgins believes he is far from finished with snooker – and wants to add to his bustling trophy room.
With an impressive career spanning 25 years, winning 28 ranking titles including four World Championships, you could not fault the 41-year-old if he decided to call it a day.
But Higgins is filled with the same desire he had when growing up in Wishaw as a youngster.
With a busy month coming up, Higgins spoke exclusively to the Wishaw Press after being inducted into the North Lanarkshire Hall of Fame with other sporting legends from around the region.
Now the Wizard is hoping his induction can inspire the next generation of superstars and is using it as motivation at the start of a search for a fifth world title.
Higgins said: “I’d hope to use this as motivation because I’m still enjoying playing.
“It gets harder obviously as you get a little bit older but it’s still a great achievement to be playing and competing with some of the top players in the game.
“I’ll be trying to keep that going for as long as possible.
“I’m just a wee boy from Wishaw and the fact I could be in the Hall of Fame with legends like Sir Matt Busby’s family and the Lisbon Lions and the great inspirational stories is brilliant.
“You would hope to inspire other people because they might look at you as a local boy.
“I know when I was coming through Stephen Hendry was inspiring everyone across Scotland.
“You’ve got other great champions from across Scotland who can act as an inspiration.
“I’d love to break the rankings title record but it’s getting harder and as you get a little bit older you maybe start to lose that sharpness.
“I think when I play my best stuff I can still be a match for anyone on
the tour but it’s trying to get that consistency which is lacking right now.
“Hopefully I can put in a good performance in China in a couple of weeks time and then it’s the World Championships next month which is always a big tournament for me.”
Higgins was speaking on Monday at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
The current world number three joined local legends David Crabb and Jonathan Paterson in the Hall of Fame.
Other inductees included golfer Sandy Jones, cricketer Budhi Kunderan and handball’s Lynn McCafferty.
Higgins added: “It ’ s unbelievable and it’s a great honour.
“To see legends from sport and to be one of the first inductees is great and I’m really proud of it.
“You would never think you would be recognised on a scale like this and it’s a great achievement.” Motherwell man Jonathan Paterson was told he would never walk – now the footballer is a Hall of Famer.
The 29-year-old is a three-time Paralympian and has represented Scotland, helping them to the World Championships this year in Argentina.
Jonathan admits he still hasn’t grasped the magnitude of his success, but thrives on being a role model.
He said: “It’s unbelievable and it shows how far disability sport has come that I’m being recognised along with all of these other heroes I’ve idolised.
“It’s important for the future that it shows there is a clear pathway for young kids to show they can be successful. I’m