CRUCIBLE title-chaser Stephen Maguire is adamant he is now ready to live up to his star billing.
The ambitious Glaswegian remains convinced he can capture snooker's biggest prize – despite being 5-3 down after the first session of his best-of-33 frame semi-final marathon against Ali Carter.
They resume this morning with Maguire bidding to finally win at the ninth time of asking.
He said: "I heard people saying that I was a future world champion a few years ago. It just hasn't happened but hopefully I can get my name on that trophy."
With John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Graeme Dott having been dumped out of this year's £1.1million tournament, Maguire is now the last hope of a Scottish winner this year.
And if he does pocket the £250,000 top prize, the world No.7 knows he'll join elite company with all three of his fellow Scots having won snooker's most prestigious title.
"I know I've got the support of John and Graeme back home," revealed Maguire, who hammered Hendry 13-2 in their one-sided quarter-final clash. "The Scots boys are quite a tight group. I truly believe they'd want me to win."
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