Ronnie O’Sullivan insists Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen ‘should win a World Championship title’

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has insisted that Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen “should win a World Championship title”.

The 36-year-old was trailing 4-1 after a slow start but fired back relentlessly by claiming the next eight successive frames to retain the Alex Higgins Trophy in style. He also clinched a £80,000 prize and a place in the Champion of Champions event as a result of the triumph.

O’Sullivan and fellow Eurosport expert Jimmy White were on hand to congratulate Allen and pay tribute to his performance in retaining his title in memorable fashion in front of his home fans.

“I don’t think anyone has ever questioned Mark’s talent and ability when he gets it right,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport.

“He is a world champion – he should win a world title with his game and his temperament.

“With the way that he is playing at the moment, the consistency levels, I’m sure he feels in a good place.

“All you can be doing is going in the right direction. As long as you are going in the right direction, things can happen.”

White added: “He is always dangerous. We have always known that he can score and make the game look very simple when he is in the balls.

“I think he has added the safety game to it and the calmness. He takes a lot more time.

“He always fancies himself to beat everyone, and you have to think that you are the best in the world.

“Of course, he will be very dangerous going forward.”

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