Potter has the X Factor

Colin Hutton • Published 24 Feb 2010 13:00 0 Comments

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YOUNG NUGGET: Anthony McGill

A FUTURE king of the baize - who has already drawn comparisons with snooker legend Steve Davis - is preparing to turn professional.

Anthony McGill, who is going to be managed and mentored by Clydebank cue ace John Rea, picked up his latest silverware in the Junior Star of the Future event last week, when he comfortably defeated Welshman Jamie Clark 4-1 in the final.

And now Rea is hoping that his 19-year-old protege can go on to emulate some of the other great players to have come out of Scotland when he makes the step into the professional ranks in September.

The Lucky Break owner told Sport Scene: "I've already nicknamed him The Nugget because he is in the same mould as Steve Davis.

"He's just a quiet, nice boy and all he wants to do is play snooker.

"He's got a great temperament and can play with both hands, so he's a real talent.

"With the right guidance I can see this boy going all the way. I've never really managed anyone before but I'm going to take Anthony on during these first really important years.

"He's coming from winning everything within the amateur game and will now be stepping into a den here where there is a gulf in class - but I'm sure he'll cope."

With this in mind, Rea is now going to pit the young potter against two of world's best players, in reigning World Champion John Higgins and Stephen Maguire.

The pair are playing against each other at Rea's Clydebank venue on April 12 in a £3,000 challenge match, but they will warm up with a frame against the young pretender.

Rea said: "I've already spoken to John and Stephen and they are going to play with him to help him make the most of his talent. Anthony will play a frame against each of them before their challenge match in April and that will be in front of a couple of hundred people, so we will be able to see how he handles that.

"My goal is to set him on the right path by offering some of my knowledge onto his young shoulders. We are really going to try to push Anthony all the way because I think he's got the X Factor."

McGill has already completed a three-year scholarship with Terry Griffiths and Terry Doyle and his impressive form has seen him knock in a 142 break in the Spencer's Handicap Open and two 147 maximums in practice.

Along with another Bankie player, Ally Bayne, 18, McGill will travel to Malta next month to represent Scotland under-19s.

He said: "I'm very excited about turning pro and I know it's going to be tough because there are so many great players out there.

"But John [Rea] has been about and has been a pro himself so knows how hard it is.

"So for him to have so much faith in me is a big compliment.

"The exhibition match against John [Higgins] and Stephen [Maguire] will be unbelievable and I just can't wait for it."

Rea is now in the process of ensuring that McGill gets the chance for regular practice with stars including Alan McManus, Graeme Dott, Marcus Campbell and former pro Davie McLelland.

A host of young players are coming through the ranks at Lucky Break just now, with St Peter the Apostle pupil Joseph McLaren, 13, already showing great promise.

The Drumry schoolboy picked up the trophy for Plate Competition Best Performance at the Junior Star of the Future event, when he was unlucky not to make it to the knock-out rounds.

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 24 Feb 10

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