ROCKET GETS BLASTED FOR HIS ATTITUDE

SHAUN MURPHY has launched a blistering attack on Ronnie O’Sullivan – by claiming The Rocket is a poor ambassador for snooker.

Ex-world champion Murphy takes on 2011 winner Judd Trump in the last 16 of the UK Championship today.

But, ahead of that, the 40-year-old blasted the game’s No.1 star and record seven-time world champion O’Sullivan (above) over his attitude.

O’Sullivan has angered his rival by continually insisting he cares little for the sport.

And Murphy (below) also suggested that the 46-year-old does not appreciate his wealth and what snooker has given him.

The pair have form.

Murphy once branded O’Sullivan “pathetic, unprofessional and disrespectful” after he had to be persuaded to pot the final black in a 147 because the £4,000 prize was too small.

Murphy said: “It is very frustrating hearing Ronnie and others say it’s just one of the things they do with their life... and that the game means so little to them.

“For players like myself, I don’t have the CV of O’Sullivan, I don’t have what I assume must be an incredible amount of wealth.

“He comes from an incredibly wealthy background and grew up in incredible wealth. Most of the tour don’t come from that world.

“It’s OK for him and people like him that have cabinet after cabinet of trophies to say how little the game means to them. But, for the rest of us, it means an awful lot.

“It is extremely irritating. Ronnie has one of the biggest platforms in the world. I just wish he would use it to help make the game better.”

O’Sullivan remains favourite for an eighth UK crown after trouncing Zhou Yuelong 6-0 – with the Chinese youngster letting himself down.

In response to Murphy’s comments, O’Sullivan said: “If people want to come and choose to watch me play, then great and if they choose not to watch me, that’s also great. It’s better they come and watch you than not.

“I am just doing my own business, and I don’t care what they say about the game. I just don’t care and I cut off a long time ago.”