Keeper Scott Higgins has snubbed Queensland Roar after a one-year spell at Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League to sign a four-week deal at Adelaide United.
The tallest man in the A-league will act as cover for injured Reds glovesman Daniel Beltrame and 'Giggles', as he's known, says the United set-up is impressive.
"It's fantastic," Higgins tells au.fourfourtwo.com. "The boys look sharp, there's good intensity and everyone has great respect for Viddy [coach Aurelio Vidmar] for what he's done in the game.
"Even Viddy's calling me Giggles!"
Vidmar took 16 year old keeper Lucas Andrucci to Tasmania for the game against Melbourne Victory last weekend as a precaution but Higgins will provide an experienced and qualified presence as a second keeper for United’s further games in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.
"He’s had A-League experience with Queensland Roar and the Brisbane Strikers in the old NSL, he’s a decent age for a goalkeeper and if something happens to Robbie Bajic then he is capable of filling those shoes," Vidmar said.
"He’s a big boy and as a goalkeeper you need a bit of presence and he has definitely got a good presence about him."
Queenslander Higgins played in 23 games for Falkirk last season. It was a long-held dream of the 201cm keeper to play in the country of his family's origin.
"It was a fantastic experience. It's something I've wanted to do. I do have dual passports, British and Aussie, so it's easier for me. It was a one-year deal and I returned about five or six weeks ago."
Higgins, 30, also took the time to take his UEFA goalkeeping coach's badge while he was in Europe.
When the big keeper returned to hometown Brisbane, it was assumed he'd return to Roar after the club lost back-up keeper Matthew Ham to injury.
But the decision to sign for Adelaide instead is one of the more baffling off-season stories.
Higgins however refused to be drawn on the issue as he focuses on his stint at Hindmarsh.
"I haven't a bad word to say about Queensland. It's my hometown club," he said. "That's football. I've been known as Giggles since I was about 14. I'm always smiling. I try not let things get me down."
Higgins is due to finish his short term contract around mid August.
"It's fantastic," Higgins tells au.fourfourtwo.com. "The boys look sharp, there's good intensity and everyone has great respect for Viddy [coach Aurelio Vidmar] for what he's done in the game.
"Even Viddy's calling me Giggles!"
Vidmar took 16 year old keeper Lucas Andrucci to Tasmania for the game against Melbourne Victory last weekend as a precaution but Higgins will provide an experienced and qualified presence as a second keeper for United’s further games in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.
"He’s had A-League experience with Queensland Roar and the Brisbane Strikers in the old NSL, he’s a decent age for a goalkeeper and if something happens to Robbie Bajic then he is capable of filling those shoes," Vidmar said.
"He’s a big boy and as a goalkeeper you need a bit of presence and he has definitely got a good presence about him."
Queenslander Higgins played in 23 games for Falkirk last season. It was a long-held dream of the 201cm keeper to play in the country of his family's origin.
"It was a fantastic experience. It's something I've wanted to do. I do have dual passports, British and Aussie, so it's easier for me. It was a one-year deal and I returned about five or six weeks ago."
Higgins, 30, also took the time to take his UEFA goalkeeping coach's badge while he was in Europe.
When the big keeper returned to hometown Brisbane, it was assumed he'd return to Roar after the club lost back-up keeper Matthew Ham to injury.
But the decision to sign for Adelaide instead is one of the more baffling off-season stories.
Higgins however refused to be drawn on the issue as he focuses on his stint at Hindmarsh.
"I haven't a bad word to say about Queensland. It's my hometown club," he said. "That's football. I've been known as Giggles since I was about 14. I'm always smiling. I try not let things get me down."
Higgins is due to finish his short term contract around mid August.
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