JOHN HIGGINS has potted four World Championships, racked up 25 ranking tournament victories, struck six maximum breaks in competitive play and has spent almost four years as the top player in the world.

Not to mention also having pocketed career earnings of almost £5million – a return that has ensured a comfortable lifestyle for wife Denise and their children Pierce, Oliver and Claudia.

But now, at the age of 37, the Wizard of Wishaw admits he's taking stock of his career – and he's ready to hand over the battle to be the world's snooker kingpin to a new generation of stars.

With only Mark Selby and Judd Trump ahead of him in the world rankings, the Scot appears to be ideally placed to launch another bid to retain top spot, but does the title of world No.1 continue to motivate him?

"No, not really," Higgins told SportTimes. "I think the way the game is heading and how it will progress over the next few years, I will need to pick and choose events and what tournaments I play in.

"The world No.1 will be decided by the players who play in more of the events, they will have more chances of doing well and picking up the points.

"That is just the way the game is going. I have to try and get a balance between my home life and my professional life. You want to do your best on the table, but you need to have some family time as well. I want to find that balance."

Higgins may no longer have his sights set on the top spot, but that doesn't mean the Wishaw potter is not hungry for more success.

After clinching the 2011 World Championship, he said Stephen Hendry's record haul of seven titles was his next goal.

Those ambitions may have diminished but, having already landed the Shanghai Masters crown this season, he remains keen add to his trophy cabinet.

It is only a few months since snooker lost its golden boy as Hendry called it a day in fitting style at the Crucible, but Higgins is in no rush to follow his countryman into retirement.

"That was maybe said during the heat of the moment. I got caught up in the occasion a bit," he said.

"If I could win one more world title that would be amazing. You just need to keep your game in good shape and see what happens.

"You are playing more than ever so need to be at your best whenever you are on the table. You just have to keep trying your best and see how you get on in the tournaments. You can't really have any targets.

"I don't have a plan in place. I don't know what else I would do, to be honest. I will just keep plugging away and see where it takes me. As long as I am happy while I am playing that is the main thing."

lJohn Higgins will be joined in action by top home snooker stars Graeme Dott and Stephen Maguire for the Scottish Open, the fifth event on the Betfair European Tour, next month. The event will be held at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility from December 14-16. Tickets are on sale now and start at just £10. For details call 01698 274600 or visitwww.seetickets.com.