Glasgow's Anthony McGill has delivered an upbeat assessment of his game following a commanding victory at the Scottish Open in Edinburgh.
A 'Great Win' to Build On
The local favourite secured an impressive 4-1 win over Tom Ford in his opening match at the Meadowbank Sports Centre on Tuesday, 16th December 2025. Breaks of 90 and a superb 118 helped him cruise into the last 32, where he will face either Chris Wakelin or Oliver Lines.
Speaking to the World Snooker Tour after the match, McGill was pleased with his performance. "It seemed to have everything," he said. "I thought it was a pretty good standard. Not too many glaring mistakes... Good standard match, good fight and a great win for me."
He also praised the Edinburgh venue, stating it was a better fit for the tournament than its previous Glasgow home and that the supportive crowds always create a special atmosphere.
Rediscovering Form After Quiet Spell
This positive talk is encouraging for the two-time ranking event winner, who reached the World Championship semi-finals in 2020 but has endured a couple of quieter seasons. He has not played at the Crucible Theatre since 2023.
However, signs of a resurgence were clear earlier this season when he reached the final of the British Open, eventually losing 10-7 to Shaun Murphy. That run has restored his belief. "I think my game's there," McGill asserted. "A few things off the table right now that are distracting me a little bit. But going into the new year, I think my mind will be totally on snooker. I'm really excited, actually, for 2026."
Using Disappointment as Fuel
The Scot also addressed the criticism he received for his brief runner-up speech after that British Open final defeat. McGill believes his visible disappointment was actually a positive sign of his renewed competitive fire.
"I was gutted at the time, obviously. I got a lot of stick for it," he recalled. "It's good that I was gutted. If you put a microphone in my face and I'm all happy then there's probably something wrong."
He reflected that the defeat, while painful at the time, represented significant progress. "It's good to feel like a little bit of a player again," McGill admitted. "It's been a long time since I've won some matches on a big stage... I don't like getting beat as much as Shaun Murphy. When I look back on it, I can go, I've got to the final, boosted my rankings, I'm in the Grand Prix. I can take positives."
With his sights now firmly set on the future, Anthony McGill will be hoping his strong start in Edinburgh is the launchpad for a successful second half of the season.
