RUAIDHRI Higgins has commented on the competitive nature of the Sports Direct Premiership this season as his side get ready to face Glentoran…

The Bannsiders finalise their pre-split fixtures when they make their way to The Oval tomorrow afternoon.

Glentoran have won all three previous meetings between the clubs this season by a 2-1 scoreline but Higgins knows those results could have all arguably gone in his side’s favour.

His side go into the clash well in the top-four picture on 64 points – with 63 points having secured second spot in the table last season after the completion of all 38 games.

When asked to sum-up the climax to end of the season, Higgins replied: “I’m nearly sure that second place last year after 38 games finished on 63 points.

“Everyone currently in the top four is on 62 points plus, so it shows how the league has swung, it shows how competitive the league has become.

“As I said, Larne finished second last year on 63 points, and with seven games to go, all the top four teams have at least equalled that. So, it’s really, really, really competitive, really competitive.

“At this moment in time, we’re on two points a game, which normally would have you very much in the mix. I know we are in the mix, but we’re possibly not in as good a position as the couple of teams just above us.

“I think the split adds brilliance. I think it’s really, really good…I think it makes it so interesting.

“I think if you’re the organisers of the league, this would be the perfect scenario that you would want. There’s so many big games this weekend and in the coming weeks, so it’s great to be a part of.”

Kodi Lyons-Foster and Lyndon Kane both played for the club’s U20 side on Monday night and Higgins remarked how the “relentless” nature of the schedule means several members of his squad are playing through niggles.

“We’ll see how Shevy is between now and Saturday…he took a heavy buying when he won our first penalty in six months,” he added.

“Listen, at this stage of the season, it’s relentless. It’s really, really relentless.

“There’s no real international breaks. There’s no mid-season break. It’s just flat out from start to finish and it’s great.

“But my point is, at this stage of the season, you’re always going to have people playing through things.”

Supporters can get tickets for tomorrow’s game HERE.