Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Scottish snooker star and avid Celtic supporter, John Higgins, couldn't resist a friendly jibe at Ally McCoist. The 49-year-old is currently immersed in the World Snooker Championship, where he's tied at 8-8 with China's Xiao Guodong, as they head into the second session. Despite the high level of focus required by snooker, Higgins managed to slip in a quick jest aimed at his good friend and Rangers legend, McCoist, during a light-hearted moment at the Crucible. Higgins is aiming for his fifth World Snooker Championship title. Even amidst the competition, Higgins found time to chat with TNT commentator Darren Fletcher and close friend McCoist. Despite their camaraderie, the Scottish pair will always have a friendly rivalry, given Higgins' loyalty to Celtic and McCoist's status as a Rangers icon. Higgins made sure his love for Celtic was clear, not just to McCoist, but to Scottish viewers as well, playfully teasing the legendary Scottish forward. Their conversation veered towards a skit where both Fletcher and McCoist claimed they had recreated and sunk the famous black ball shot, off camera, made iconic by Dennis Taylor. While Fletcher was sharing an anecdote, Higgins couldn't help but cheekily interrupt to jest that if McCoist's pool skills mirrored his football finish, he'd likely miss the shot. "We both had a go at Dennis's winning black, and would it surprise you at all to know that Ally..." Fletcher began, only for Higgins to cut in with a smirk: "I've watched him enough at the Rangers over the years!", reports the Mirror. McCoist took it in good humour and laughed, "We both got it. The worrying thing is we used Jimmy [White's] cue. I couldn't believe how light his cue was." Higgins, known for his support of Celtic, nudged in a sly remark illustrating his friendly rivalry with McCoist. The conversation then took a serious turn as Higgins probed about Tottenham Hotspur's interest in Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, given the challenges facing Spurs' current boss, Brendan Rodgers' successor, Ange Postecoglou. "I've just seen reports that [Daniel] Levy is trying to get Brendan Rodgers to go to Tottenham Hotspur – is there any truth in that rumour?" enquired Higgins. With an ironic grin, McCoist answered, "John, I'll be honest with you mate, I'm trying to get him to go anywhere!". Higgins is determined not to bow out of the competition in a manner akin to Rangers' Europa League exit at the hands of Athletic Bilbao. Regardless of the outcome, he will hold his head high, given the personal challenges his family is facing. After triumphing 10-7 over Joe O'Connor, Higgins opened up about the emotional strain caused by his father-in-law's heart attack. The concern for his family led him to miss the Champions Dinner and Green Carpet event, fuelling speculation that he might opt to stay with his family rather than participate in Sheffield. Reflecting on his victory in the first round, Higgins confessed: "That was the most emotional I have ever been today. I left my wife and I was in tears. "Obviously my father-in-law wasn't great. I was sitting having dinner with my boy last night and I was thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago. I was drained today. "I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out tonight and felt a lot better and played a lot better. I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age."