Mark Allen says he’s got nothing to fear in taking on the ‘greatest ever’ to play the game when he tackles Ronnie O’Sullivan in the UK Championship final on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman battled back from 4-2 down as he defeated Stuart Bingham 6-5 in a thrilling last-four clash in York on Saturday evening.

Allen secured the best moment of his career so far by beating Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the Dafabet Masters final back in January and now he has the chance to end the year with a second Triple Crown success.

O’Sullivan has won 26 of his last 27 matches at the UK Championship and the defending champion is chasing a record 19th career win in snooker’s marquee events and his seventh UK crown, 25 years on from his first. Allen suggests facing a great of the game on the grand stage is the reason he plays the game.

“There is nobody in the sport that I haven’t beat, so there is nothing to fear in that way,” he said. “It has always been my own performance that worries me the most. I want to go out there and entertain like every other top player does.

“I’m looking forward to the final. That is why we play the game. You want to face the greatest ever on the biggest stage. The UK final is a pretty big stage. I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it and I have an alright record against Ronnie.”

Allen is underdog at 3.10 to win the UK final, with O’Sullivan 7.00 to come out with a 10-6 victory.