John Higgins says he will be having a long think about his future in snooker after suffering a second-round exit at the UK Championship on Saturday.

Higgins is one of the greatest players to have graced the game and his impressive record speaks for itself, with the Scot winning the World Championship in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011.

The 43-year-old has 30 ranking tournaments wins to his name but he has failed to add to his collection this season, with a run to the final of the China Championship his best result to date.

Going into the UK Championship at the Barbican Centre in York, the Wizard of Wishaw was expected to mount a serious challenge for glory in an event he has won three times.

However, the world number four was sent packing in the second round on Saturday after giving up a 5-3 lead to lose 6-5 to compatriot Alan McManus, who will take on Tom Ford in round three.

Speaking after his defeat, Higgins, who is 10.00 to win the 2019 World Championship, suggested he could call it a day at the end of this campaign after becoming disillusioned with his current form.

“I could not care less, I am proper [bad] at this game. I am fudging about making 30 breaks – it is garbage,” he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. “It is a big worry.

“I am nearly at the end of my time in this game. I need to have a big think at the end of the season. I cannot put myself through this and you will not get anywhere in this game doing that.”