Ronnie O'Sullivan says he feels like a kid in sweet shop after his 4-0 win over Robert Milkins at the World Grand Prix but gave referee Marcel Eckardt both barrels after a comfortable win.

O'Sullivan, who has a property in Chigwell, breezed past Milkins to set up a quarter-final tie with Graham Dott at 7pm today (Friday) and was effusive in his praise of Venue Cyrmu.

Speaking after Wednesday's victory over Milkins, he said: "For me to get another opportunity to play here I feel like it's Christmas all over again and like a kid in a sweet shop.

"It's a great great event, great great venue. It's a shame we don't have more venues of this standing," he added.

'The Rocket' had previously been extremely critical of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, the venue for the Welsh Open earlier this year, and again made his feelings known.

He scorned: "Oh, don't talk to me about that venue it was like a cross between an aircraft hanger and a shopping centre. There was so much going on I felt like I was at Terminal 5 whereas here it's unbelievable.

"We have to be grateful for tournaments like this when they come along and make the most of it."

And match official Eckardt was also in the firing line despite the 39-year-old's easy passage into the last eight of the competition.

"The referee out there tonight was as bad as ever," O'Sullivan fumed. "He probably cost me two or three centuries out there when he kept getting in my way.

"I think he needs to up his game or someone should show him where he should or shouldn't be. It was lucky the frame was over but it's still not the point - I'm out to entertain, to do a job and the crowd want to see century breaks but if the referee keeps getting in my way and treading on my feet it doesn't help.

"I had to tell him a couple of times to get out of the way so I'm a little bit disappointed on that point but pleased to have got the win and be in the next round."