KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM has admitted that the date of Kelty Hearts' first meeting with Dunfermline was one he looked for immediately when the fixtures were released.

The 33-year-old spent almost three years as a Pars player and "loved every single second", prior to leaving in 2019.

After a short spell with Real Kashmir, in India, Higginbotham returned to Scotland to join Kelty in 2020, and has gone on to help the New Central Park outfit to back-to-back promotions from the Lowland League to League One.

That has given them the opportunity to lock horns with their near neighbours for the first time in a competitive match, and the Englishman says he's hopeful the Athletic fans will "be good with me".

Higginbotham, though, could miss out on the chance to play his former club, having been absent since Kelty's Premier Sports Cup opener, with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, last month, through injury.

Following the defeat to Clyde on Saturday, boss John Potter said the attacker had had a "slight operation" but added that he was "coming along well" and was "desperate to get back involved".

Speaking to Press Sport in pre-season, and asked whether clashes with both the Pars were the first ones he looked for, Higginbotham said: "Absolutely! I wouldn't say it'll be emotional, but it will be a great occasion. I've not got a bad word to say about that club.

"When I was there, I loved every single second of it. I was devastated when I left but that's part and parcel of football. That happens.

"They've gone on, and I've gone on to a different career. It will be a great occasion; I'm looking forward to it, and hopefully the fans don't give me stick, because I don't want to happen to score and getting them on my back!

"I'm pretty sure they'll be good with me. I'm hoping anyway!"

As well as Higginbotham, Kelty can count Joe Cardle and Lewis Martin as players in their ranks who have turned out at East End, while boss John Potter and sporting director Andrew Barrowman will also go up against their former club.