Higgins nervous about return
John Higgins is concerned how he will be treated by his fellow professionals when he makes his comeback next week.
The three-time world champion will make his return following a six-month ban at the Euro Players Tour Championship in Hamm, Germany.
In September he was cleared of match-fixing but fined £75,000 after admitting breaching rules around betting following an investigation into allegations of frame-throwing made by the News of the World.
The 35-year-old Scot’s suspension began when the allegations surfaced in May, but now he is poised to resume competition next weekend.
Higgins told Scotland on Sunday: “When the result came through, I was like, ’Right I’m going over to Germany and I’ll show them all’, but now as the day gets closer, it’s like going to the dentist.
“You make the appointment and as it gets nearer you think, ’oh no’.
“I’m a bit nervous about how the players are going to take to me.
“It’s just something I’ll have to deal with.
“It’s cost me a great deal and it’s a stigma I’ll probably never, ever get rid of.
“I hope I will, but I’m not sure.
“I just want to get back playing and maybe people will see me for what I am.”
