Higgins began his football career with Edinburgh club Hibernian. He played for Hibs in the 1955–56 European Cup, as part of the first British club to enter European competition. Higgins then played for St Mirren for two seasons between 1957 and 1959. He was part of the St Mirren squad when they won the 1958–59 Scottish Cup, but he missed the final after contracting a viral infection. Higgins then played in the Football League for Swindon Town between 1959 and 1961. 