Rocket: I'll take cue to leave

Ronnie, Higgins and Maguire all KO'd

- NEIL GOULDING

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN declared himself "happy" after his quest for a record eighth Crucible crown was crushed on a night John Higgins joined him in heading out the exit door.

And Scottish interest in the World Championship came to an end at the quarter-final stage as Stephen Maguire was beaten as well.

But it was the Rocket's 13-10 defeat to fellow Essex potter Stuart Bingham that sent shockwaves through snooker's spiritual home.

He remains level with Stephen Hendry on seven Crucible titles, while he also missed out on retaining his world No.1 status.

Even so, O'Sullivan said: "I'm actually really happy, to be honest, it's just the way it goes sometimes.