Possible Clues:

• University degree for head
• & 26 down Stuck in this, Rosberg�s foremost gifts are wasted
• "For starters ..."
• Mark McGwire's position
• Word before and after 'things'
• Highest degree
• Top university degree
• Conifer Street is before you get to 1 across
• "Before anything else . . ."
• & 2 Early new year arrivals bringing good luck