Higgins 'big believer in Irish League summer football'
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins has called for the Irish Premiership to switch to a summer football schedule to improve competitiveness in European tournaments. He argues that the current calendar puts Irish teams at a disadvantage against opponents who are already mid-season during summer qualifiers.
Why it matters
The debate over league scheduling highlights the challenges smaller football leagues face in achieving success in high-stakes European competitions.
Image source, Inpho Image caption, Higgins believes summer football will end big scorelines like his side suffered against HJK Helsinki
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins said it is "a worry" that Irish Premiership sides will never improve in Europe without a switch to summer football.
The Irish Cup winner's manager was speaking after his side's 8-0 aggregate defeat by HJK Helsinki ended their Uefa Conference League qualifying hopes.
HJK had a comfortable five-goal lead after the first leg and, at Inver Park on Thursday night, displayed more ruthlessness in front of goal to register a 3-0 win.
Coleraine are the third Irish Premiership team to bow out of the Conference League qualifiers after Linfield and Glentoran exited in the first round, with Larne the only Northern Irish side who still have a chance of securing a European group stage spot this season.
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