logo
Steve Davis in disbelief as BBC snooker star responds to John Higgins dig

Steve Davis in disbelief as BBC snooker star responds to John Higgins dig

Daily Mirror27-04-2025

We are now approaching the business end of the World Snooker Championship, with the players preparing themselves for the quarter-finals of the prestigious event in Sheffield
The World Snooker Championship at the iconic Crucible Theatre has reached its midpoint, and it's been nothing short of spellbinding. Kyren Wilson was the latest defending champion to succumb to the infamous 'Crucible Curse', crashing out in the first round to rookie Lei Peifan.
Chris Wakelin also bested Mark Allen in their second-round match, despite the Northern Irishman managing a phenomenal 147 break on Friday. In doing so, Wakelin, along with Zhao Xintong, John Higgins and Mark Williams, punched his ticket to the quarter-finals.

And as we await the conclusion of four more second-round matches, including Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Pang Junxu and Judd Trump vs Shaun Murphy, we bring you a round-up of the latest news from Sheffield.

John Parrott sees funny side of John Higgins dig
John Parrott couldn't help but laugh at a comment made by renowned Celtic fan John Higgins after he managed to scrape through the second round against Xiao Guodong. Celebrating Celtic's Scottish Premiership title victory on Saturday - the same day when Higgins narrowly edged out a win in the snooker marathon with a 13-12 finish - he took a cheeky swipe at rivals Rangers.
In a post-match interview with Hazel Irvine, where she mentioned how he'd had quite the day, Higgins quipped: "I think that's erm, what it is that, 54 titles ahead of our rivals."
Parrott was then heard laughing in the background, before saying: 'I like that dig. You couldn't resist it could you!'. Irvine, seemingly not catching on to the jibe right away, responded with: "Not that you can't count! 55 I'm hearing, but you'll take it!". Higgins had also taken a cheeky swipe at Rangers legend Ally McCoist earlier that day.
Judd Trump's warning to Shaun Murphy
Meanwhile, Trump had some bold words for Murphy ahead of their highly anticipated match. The World No. 1 claimed he was in The Magician's 'mind', having got the better of his rival by winning each of their last seven match-ups. He explained: "I think there's players recently I've had great records against. John Higgins, Mark Selby as well in ranking events, I've not lost for I don't even know how long, but a long time.

'There's certain players I feel comfortable playing and Shaun is one of them but I've also lost many times to him in the past. In the back of your head you think the more times you beat someone, the law of averages eventually you're going to lose. So there's that on the other hand.
'For me it's just about going out there and if I can get in front, get off to quick starts, put the long balls in then it puts Shaun under a lot of pressure because he knows what I'm capable of in those few games we've played this season.' Trump did say, however, that he holds great respect for Murphy, whose performance in the first game he described as 'superb'.
Steve Davis hails star as 'jaw-dropping'
Snooker legend Steve Davis has hailed Luca Brecel as the "most jaw-dropping player" in the World Snooker Championship following his extraordinary performance against Ding Junhui on Saturday. The 2023 world champion earned a standing ovation at the Crucible for his exceptional play, which handed him a dominant 7-1 lead over Ding.
Despite Ding kicking off with an impressive 141 break, Brecel's aggressive playing style left him in a comfortable position before progressing. Six-time world champion Davis said on commentary for the BBC: 'We all have our favourites. But this is the most jaw-dropping player in the game, for me. He is astonishing. It's just ridiculous isn't it. The crowd absolutely loving it. You've just got to take your hat off to this performance.
'We've seen some great performances at the Crucible. The performance Luca put in to beat Mark Selby in the final two years ago was astonishing. But as a single session of snooker this is as jaw-dropping as I've ever seen. And he's done this to one of the greatest players that's ever held a cue, Ding Junhui. Incredible stuff.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dundee United seal Iurie Iovu deal as Jim Goodwin hails 'fearless' stopper
Dundee United seal Iurie Iovu deal as Jim Goodwin hails 'fearless' stopper

The Courier

timean hour ago

  • The Courier

Dundee United seal Iurie Iovu deal as Jim Goodwin hails 'fearless' stopper

Dundee United have completed the signing of towering Moldova international Iurie Iovu. The 6ft5ins central defender has penned a two-year deal with the Tannadice outfit, with no transfer fee involved, and becomes the club's second capture in 24 hours following the arrival of Zac Sapsford. The Terrors hold an option for a further season, should Iovu thrive. Iovu, 22, joins from Croatian side NK Istra, while he has also been on the books of Zimbru Chisinau, Cagliari, Venezia and Alaves B. The first Moldovan to ever join United, Iovu boasts four senior caps and is hopeful the switch to Scotland could help him cement a regular place with the national side. United boss Jim Goodwin told the club's official website: 'Iurie is a player we identified as one of our first targets for the summer window thanks to his dominant displays across three different European countries. 'He is a committed and fearless defender with an infectious level of controlled aggression when carrying out his duties, and boasts the ideal set of physical attributes to thrive in the Scottish Premiership. 'Iurie also has the potential to develop into a fantastic asset for the club further down the line. In the short-term however, we have unwavering confidence in his ability to strengthen our backline across the next few seasons.'

I've joined the epic retirement club thanks to my ex-Celtic player son who said ‘you don't have to work anymore'
I've joined the epic retirement club thanks to my ex-Celtic player son who said ‘you don't have to work anymore'

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I've joined the epic retirement club thanks to my ex-Celtic player son who said ‘you don't have to work anymore'

A MUM of five has revealed how she was able to retire last year thanks to her big-hearted son - who is a former Celtic player. Veronica Morgan posted a heartfelt message onto The Epic Retirement Club page on Facebook, explaining how she was able to join the club thanks to her footie star son. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Veronica Morgan was able to retire last year thanks to her big-hearted son 2 She's the mother of Scotland international Lewis Morgan Credit: Kenny Ramsay She can now travel the world and visit her sons and daughters - who are situated all over the globe - after the kind gesture from ex-Celtic winger Lewis Morgan. Lewis, 28, has been earning the big bucks as a footballer since he sealed his dream move to Parkhead from St Mirren in 2018. Things didn't quite work out for the wide-man in Glasgow, though, as he only lasted two years at the Hoops before heading stateside. But it's fair to say he's been living the good life across the pond since 2020, having initially joined Inter Miami - before Lionel Messi made the switch to David Beckham's side. Now at New York Red Bulls, the six-cap Scotland star has managed to put enough of his earnings to one side to help his loved ones out. Veronica posted on social media: "I'm so grateful to my son who retired me last year. I'm 65 and now living my best life. My children have all moved away, we are from Scotland. "My eldest son and partner are in Lytham St. Anne in England, my eldest daughter and husband in Melbourne Australia, my middle daughter and husband in Manhattan New York City, my youngest son and partner in Hoboken New Jersey, and my youngest daughter is in London, so I'm travelling now in my retirement and loving every minute." Veronica had plans to retire for some time but she wasn't in a position financially to go through with it - until her son helped her out. She continued: "I had been wanting to retire my son just gave me the push I needed to do it. "He knew I was getting tired working and didn't want me to think I had to keep working when he had the means to say 'enough is enough mum you don't have to work anymore'. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up "I'd never not had a job since I was 14 even when I had the five kids all under 7 at one point I still worked. "My husband and me both juggled our jobs to make sure someone was always there for them and it was tough but you do what you have to do to give your kids a good life. "They are so thankful for that and I'm so proud of all of them they've all gone on to have amazing careers - his just happened to be the one that allowed me to retire and I'm so grateful to him every day." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

How Celtic can get the best out of striker Callum Osmand
How Celtic can get the best out of striker Callum Osmand

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

How Celtic can get the best out of striker Callum Osmand

The young striker has reportedly completed a medical and agreed terms with the Scottish Premiership champions ahead of a summer move from Craven Cottage. In 73 total games for Fulham's under-18s and under-21s, Osmand has netted 43 times. Read more: He has never made a senior appearance for the club, but has trained with the first team on several occasions. And Silva, who has been in charge of Fulham since 2021, has explained how Celtic can get the best out of the young frontman: "He is much more mobile [than a traditional centre forward]," he said last year [ "He needs more senior football in his legs to see how he can adapt, perform. He's got the profile that I like. "When he has a chance, he can punish the opposition. I can see the talent, in a position that is very difficult to play in the Premier League. Probably if you play another striker by his side … you will take the best from him. Let's hope we can help him to be ready for the Premier League." Osmand was nominated for Premier League 2's Player of the Year last season. Twelve months prior, he grabbed the headlines in the Premier League Cup final, bagging a hat-trick in a stunning 4-0 win for his Fulham side over Tottenham Hotspur.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store