 His stay at Aberdeen was short lived, only lasting six months, before signing for Barnsley for £800,000 in 1999.After suffering relegation from the Premiership, Barnsley were looking for a quick return to the top flight and Hignett's 20 goals in his second season at Oakwell helped them reach the play-off final of the 1999–2000 season.Hignett scored once in the final but Barnsley lost 4–2 to Ipswich Town.