HIGGINS:YOU CAN MAKE A MARKATTOP
GRACIOUS Northern Ireland Open runner-up John Higgins has tipped champion Mark Allen to one day win the World Championship.
The Scot was stunned as the home favourite produced a courageous comeback from 8-6 down to clinch the Alex Higgins trophy with a famous 9-8 win on Sunday night.
And class act Higgins, a four-time world champion himself, believes Allen has all the tools to conquer the Crucible.
“Mark can go and win the World Championship without a doubt,” the 46-year-old said.
“He has got the talent to one day be world champion, he could even be a multiple world champion.
“He’s such a talented player, he’s got everything with his game.
“He’s got heart, breaking building. He’s got everything.
“But it’s just so difficult that one tournament every year.
“You’ve got to get ready for it and hopefully things go your way.
“The closest he’s done is years ago when I beat him in the semi-final.
“However, he’s a really great champion, a great champion for Ireland.”
The Wishaw Wizard was left crestfallen after he suffered an agonising defeat in Belfast.
Higgins, who was bidding for a memorable 32nd ranking title, missed the chance to close the gap with Ronnie O’Sullivan (37) and Stephen Hendry (36) on ranking trophies.
But the slim-lined Scot showed there’s plenty of life left in the old dog after a stunning run to the showpiece final.
Higgins has shed three and a half stones since last season’s World Championship and is hungry for even more success despite winning everything in the game.
“It’s pretty raw right now,” admitted Higgins. “But in the next few days you’ll take the positives from it and move on.
“There are a lot of big tournaments coming up, so you can’t get too downhearted.
“I’ll try and keep the spinning classes up for the rest of my career and see where it takes me.”