New World Grand Prix champion Mark Allen hit back at Stephen Hendry after joining the game’s elite.
The Pistol fired himself to a career highest ranking of world No 3 as he became only the 10th player in history to win three ranking titles in the same season with a gripping 10-9 win over Judd Trump on Sunday night.
It was a memorable ninth ranking success, which put him level with former world champions John Parrott, Peter Ebdon and close pal Shaun Murphy.
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But Scottish snooker legend Hendry, an ITV pundit, said the UK champion “wasn’t pretty to watch” and that Trump handed him the title “on a plate” in the dramatic decider.
Allen, 36, stressed: “I’m very surprised at Stephen’s point of view because ultimately it’s about winning tournaments.
“It hasn’t been pretty at times, but I’m taking the trophy home and that’s all that matters.
“It’s all worthwhile and I can take the criticism.
“I’ve been a bit disappointed with some of the things Stephen’s said about my game this week.
“I don’t really know what people want from me. If I’m not feeling good about my game do they want me to keep going for those long ones, keep being stupidly aggressive, play fast and get beat?
“That’s ultimately what would have happened. Me slowing myself down a little bit and turning a few down here and there against players is ultimately what got me into that position to be in the final.
“That was me giving myself the best chance of winning, so it’s strange criticism from him. I suppose he has to say something in the studio.
“It’s disappointing from someone I look up to so much.”
Snooker has been dominated by the fantastic four of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson in recent years.
But Antrim ace Allen has become a winning machine and a contender for any tournament he enters; even when his brilliant best form is lacking.
Winning tournaments with their B game is something the greats of the game have always done, with Trump winning the Masters nine days ago in the same fashion.
Allen’s phenomenal consistency this season has got him among the sport’s big hitters, where he feels he’s belonged for a number of years.
Shedding almost six stone and working with mind guru Paul Gaffney has helped him flourish and become a regular winner.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” added Allen, who travelled to Stoke to play in Ultimate Pool’s Champions League last night.
“I haven’t wanted to be a flash in the pan and win one every two years, I want to be a consistent winner.
“I appreciate it’s not all about hard work on the table and that’s what I feel I’ve been missing in the last few years.
“I’ve done the right things off the table to get myself mentally ready and I feel I have a lot left in me.
“The players who have won double figures and above are the legends of the game and I’m still a long way behind them.
“This season’s helped me get up that ladder. I’m chuffed to be in the winners’ enclosure again.”
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