The Crucible will retire before me

John sure he'll still be playing after venue's likely move in '27

- NEIL GOULDING

JOHN HIGGINS believes his snooker career will outlive the famous Crucible Theatre.

The four-time world champion is one of the sport's all-time greats following a trophy-laden threedecade-plus career.

There has been speculation surrounding the Wizard of Wishaw's future after the 48-year-old said this could be his last time at the iconic venue.

Snooker's blue-riband event is expected to move away from its spiritual home in Sheffield, where it has been since 1977, when the current deal ends in 2027.

But ahead of playing world No.3 Mark Allen in the last 16 of this year's World Championship, Higgins said: "I won't retire. This venue will be retired before I retire from snooker.

"With all the noises coming out of the important voices within the game it sounds like we will be leaving here in three years' time.