THE dearest wish of John Higgins, Scotland's newly-crowned world snooker champion, was to parade the famous old trophy at Parkhead on Saturday before Celtic's match against St Johnstone.

The youngster from Wishaw, a self-confessed Celtic fan, who beat Ireland's Ken Doherty in style at The Crucible in Sheffield on Monday night, has reached the pinnacle of his career - his latest victory has earned him the world No.1 ranking - and he is desperate to see Wim Jansen's men clinch their first league championship in a decade.

However, there is one snag to him seeing that ambition realised - he is due to meet Ken Doherty again on Saturday in a Dr Marten's League match. Said Higgins: ''I don't think Ken would mind changing the date to Sunday, but all the tickets have been printed.

''Barry Hearn runs the league, so it's up to him. But, in the past, he's changed things to accommodate Jimmy White and Steve Davis.

''I'll just wait and see. If I can't show the trophy at Parkhead this week, maybe I can do it at the start of next season.''

Yesterday, however, Higgins was coming to terms with being world champion and, for a person who once confessed to ''waking up with too many hangovers,'' he looked remarkably fresh after his celebrations.

It was the morning after the night before in Sheffield and the new king of snooker was holding court with the media, following his 18-12 Embassy title victory over the holder. ''Aye, it was a good party,'' agreed Higgins, his waistcoat and dress suit swapped for a jumper and jeans.

''But at least I can still speak this morning, which wasn't the case after Scotland won the World Cup in Thailand. Not as much singing I guess.''

However, since that team victory in November 1996, Higgins has matured both as a person and a snooker player. ''I was living it up,'' admits the man who will be 23 in just 12 days time.

''When I woke up in the mornings, I didn't always want to practice, preferring instead to leave it to the next day. Then something else would happen and another day was lost.

''I'd just lie in bed. My mam and dad used to say what time I was going into the club and I told them I wasn't bothering.

''I'd go out with my mates and they'd say: 'don't sit down with bums like us. There's plenty of time for you to enjoy yourself. Settle down and make the most of your ability and then come back in 10 years time, when you've made it and drink every night if you want ant to'.

''Besides, I'd seen how Alex Higgins ended up and I didn't want to become like him. Stephen Hendry always used to be first in the club after he'd won his titles. I always thought, if I had his millions, I'd be off to Jamaica or somewhere else on holiday.

''But I know now you've got to be dedicated, like him, to get to the top.'' To his credit, Higgins heeded the advice and is now set to reap the rewards.

The phone was already ringing with offers to appear on the Jack Docherty Show, plus an invitation to have a race at Hamilton Park tomorrow named in his honour.

Hendry, Tommy Heenan, former owner of the Masters club in Dennistoun and father John Higgins senior have all been major influences on the new champion's career - but not necessarily in that order.

His dad is a former Motherwell wing half who became an electrician on the oil rigs after hanging up his boots. More recently, he has become his son's manager, travelling companion, and confidante.

''It was my dad who used to take me and my elder brother Jason to the Masters club in Wishaw,'' recalls Higgins. ''I was about nine or 10 at the time.''

The future Embassy champion then linked up with Heenan, where he would brush the tables in exchange for free practice sessions. ''I used to enjoy it at the Masters, practising with the likes of Alan McManus and I didn't really want to leave. I've a lot to thank Tommy for.

''But my mam and dad thought it would be better if I signed up for Ian Doyle.'' Higgins remained with Doyle for nearly three years and, though the business partnership did not work, his stint as Hendry's practice partner was the best grounding any young player could wish for.

Higgins, already a wealthy young man before collecting a #220,000 first prize, admits that Hendry will be wounded at losing his world No.1 spot to his former stablemate. ''But, deep down, I think he'll be proud I've come through to achieve this success,'' suggested Higgins.

''We're still pals, though not as close as we used to be. You can't afford to be too close when you're rivals on the table. I've been chasing him for three or four years now. It's up to him to start chasing me. We'll see whether he's up for it.''