The Candystripes enjoyed a deserved victory at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium to keep their double dreams alive, although they remain four points off Shels in the league with seven games remaining.
In a season where dropped points at the top has been a talking point, the Candystripes have come under scrutiny for not putting enough pressure on Damien Duff’s side.
And while Higgins accepts that stick for a shock Europa Conference League defeat to Bruno’s Magpies from Gibraltar was justified, he feels that the quality of his side’s home displays has not received credit because they are out of sight and out of mind. Derry have the best home record in the league.
“We are delighted with the performance and the result,” said Higgins, “There hasn’t been many of the Dublin media in the Brandywell this season at all
“They spend most of their time in Tolka or Tallaght. There was a few negative comments this week that gave us motivation going into this game, not that we needed it.
“We’ve a really good home record and sometimes if people made the trip up they would see that. At home, we’ve created more chances than anybody and scored more goals than anybody.
Michael Duffy of Derry City, centre, celebrates with teammates Danny Mullen, left, and Mark Connolly
“The fact that people are too lazy to come up the road and watch us. They can sit behind their mobile phones and go to Tolka which is five minutes from their house and Tallaght is ten minutes from their house. We play in the League of Ireland and we’re a big club in the League of Ireland with a strong history and a decent matchnight experience.
“If people maybe spent the odd time getting in their car and coming up and watching us at home, they might see a decent team.
“Sometimes when you only go to matches on the Dublin side of the toll bridge, you won’t actually see that,” continued Higgins, who says there is excessive focus on his budget because of strong backing from billionaire chairman Philip O’Doherty – but other clubs are also spending.
“Some (comments) have been just and warranted, our European result completely warranted (criticism), where people came after us and I would expect that because we need to have higher standards.
“But I just feel that we are a target for people because of the investment and because of the profile of our chairman but there’s very, very few clubs in the league without strong investment so I think, you look at Bohemians, who they’ve been able to bring in. Shamrock Rovers, look at who they brought in the window. Galway. St Patrick’s Athletic. Waterford. The days are gone where there’s only one or two who have the power who go out and sign players
“Listen ,our away form this year hasn’t been great. It’s frustrating as our away form over the last two years has been really good. But when people watch you once in a blue moon, it’s easy to take cheap shots.”
Ironically enough, Derry will have to make the journey to Dublin for the semi, a clash with Bohemians at Dalymount Park that the FAI would have preferred in the final.
In that context, Higgins was reluctant to get drawn into double talk, especially as Shamrock Rovers visit next Friday in a very tricky league game.
“We’ve had an extremely difficult route,” said Higgins, whose side saw off St Patrick’s Athletic at home before prevailing in Cork in the previous round.
“It would make it even more pleasing if we can manage to get ourselves to the Aviva
“This league is a slog, it would be stupid to start thinking about doubles, it’s dangerous. We have to think about Shamrock Rovers. It’s a boring shitty answer but it’s the truth. What’s the point in talking about doubles when we have Shamrock Rovers here at the Brandywell?”
“We’re in the home straight now, and we need to be driven to pick up three points in every single game, whether it’s home or away.”
