Ronnie O'Sullivan insisted the emotion of Thursday’s perfect break was no excuse for his sluggish start in the UK Snooker Championship quarter-finals after heavy underdog Anthony McGill ran him too close for comfort yesterday.

The Chigwell-based Rocket lit up the Barbican in his fourth-round clash with Matt Selt, bagging a £40,000 prize for finishing off a whitewash with a 147 – a 13th maximum of his career.

But his last-eight display was not vintage Ronnie, losing the first two frames before grinding out a 6-4 win over Glasgow’s McGill.

He is not likely to be let off the hook by World number nine Stuart Bingham in today's semi-finals – and concedes McGill can count himself unlucky.

“I’ve had a maxi before against (Mark) Selby in the semi-final and then went out the next day and beat (Stephen) Maguire 10-1 in the final so it blows the theory away that it took anything out of me,” he said.

“It was just a tough game, one of those where he got off to a good start and I managed to peg him back.

“He’s missed a couple of game balls there and I think he was the better player, I had a couple of good breaks but he was more ready to win that match than me. It was just experience that got me through.”

McGill, 23, had caused quite a stir in York, seeing off childhood icon John Higgins to set up the biggest match of his career.

And O’Sullivan counts himself as a fully paid-up member of the Scot’s fan club after offering to impart words of wisdom.

“He’s a really lovely boy and I’m a fan, I’m sold on him,” he added. “In a way I’m pleased to be through but I’d have been happy for him, because you kind of wish people like him good luck.

“He can pick my brains all he likes, I’d definitely share anything with someone like that. If I can help him I will and he’s going to be around for a long time, whether he talks to me or not. It’s just a matter of time with Anthony – he’s going to win tournaments.”

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