Stephen Maguire pays tribute to snooker legend Stephen Hendry after ending his career at The Crucible

May 2 2012 By Fraser Wilson

GLASGOW snooker ace Stephen Maguire booked his place in the quarter finals of the World Championship - then admitted he was stunned to end the career of legend Stephen Hendry.

Maguire had no problem ousting the seven-times world champion at the Crucible on Tuesday as he swept to a 13-2 victory.

But the announcement that Hendry, the greatest player in the sport's history, had decided to call it a day at the end of the match shook the snooker world to the core.

Maguire, from Milton, has little doubt he ended the career of Scotland's greatest sportsman.

He said: "I'm shellshocked, he's awesome. He's the best player in the world and the best to ever have picked up a cue.

"It's sad to see him go, I was never expecting that."

Maguire, 31, was given a helping hand into the professional ranks when he practised with Hendry as a teenager, and rates his compatriot as second to none among Scotland's sporting legends.

He added: "You would think so. Obviously there's a couple of football players who would think something different but I'm not a football fan so I would say yes," Maguire said.

"He's done everything in the game and he's done it with a bit of class."

Maguire meanwhile will face the winner of the Ali Carter and Jamie Jones match in the semi final.