Ruaidhri Higgins 'alarmed' by Coleraine penalty count as Bannsiders chief relishing four-way tussle for the Gibson Cup
Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins admits he has been left bewildered as to how his side have only been awarded two penalties in the Premiership so far this season.
The Bannsiders chief made the comments ahead of this weekend’s fixture away at Dungannon Swifts as they aim to keep tabs on league leaders Larne.
Larne have been awarded 10 penalties in the league this season, with fellow title challengers Glentoran and Linfield being awarded six each.
“I think the penalty count for the season is extremely interesting,” Higgins said.
"That’s the most alarming one for me. We’ve had two penalties in 30 league games.
"Statistically because we have all the data, all the stats, statistically we've had the most touches out of anyone in the opposition's box...so that bit I find quite interesting.”
The title race took another twist on Tuesday night as contenders Larne and Linfield drew at Inver Park, whilst Glentoran hit four second half goals to beat Cliftonville.
Only eight points separate Larne in first and Glentoran in fourth, who have two games in hand, meaning the battle for the Gibson Cup is set to go down to the wire.
Higgins says the scenario is good for the Irish League as there is set to be even more drama in the weeks ahead.
He added: “I'm sure there was a time where there was maybe two or three clubs going at it...but I'm not sure if there was a time when four clubs were going at it.
"Within many leagues you don't really see where four teams have a chance of winning it and I think it's absolutely brilliant.
"You look at obviously David (Healy), it's no surprise to me that Linfield are right back in it. They have a manager and players that have been there and done it.
"Larne have been there and done it in recent times, with a good continuity.
"Declan (Devine) has been at Glentoran for two years or so... there's a lot of continuity with those clubs and the fact that we're such a new group it's just exciting being a part of it.”
Higgins was involved in a title race south of the border at Derry City and believes those experiences will help him at The Showgrounds.
"I feel refreshed, hungrier than I've ever been,” he continued.
"I can draw on loads of experiences but I also feel that I'm in a much better place as a coach and a manager.”