A CLACKS snooker pro is looking forward to playing closer to home again when he will compete at the Coral Scottish Open in Glasgow next month.

Eden Sharav, 24, feels like he is not too far off the pace, having competed against big names like John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby and gaining valuable experience since turning pro in 2015.

However he has recently struggled to close out matches and must progress into the top ranked 64 by the end of the 2016/17 season to continue his pro status.

Eden recently came back from Daqing in China after beating Nigel Bond 6-3 to qualify for the 2016 International Championship.

Getting into the last 64 in China, Eden played his idol and fellow Scotsman John Higgins.

The four-time world champion beat him in the end with Eden adding: “I was locked with John 3-3 at one stage, but John showed his class and closed the match out 6-3.

"I have been to China twice now and I love it there, the people, the food, the environment and I can’t wait to go back again.”

Eden also played Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of a pro-am event recently, beating him 4-2. 

While this was not a ranking tournament, the victory was still a great boost for his career.

He said: “Ronnie did a radio interview and praised me highly and said he feels like I have the temperament and the game to be successful.

“That meant a lot, coming from a genius.”

Eden, who grew up in Alloa, is half-Scottish and half-Israeli and currently lives in Gloucester.

He trains up to 36 hours a week at the South West Snooker Academy, where he is sponsored by former pro Hassan Vaizie.

Hassan has been a great support for the 24-year-old, covering his expenses.

The Wee County player is getting some good practice games with players like Robert Milkins (current ranking 31), Jack Lisowski (current ranking 45) and Sam Baird (current ranking 50).

He turned pro last year after he qualified through Q School, beating Sheffield’s Adam Duffy 4-3.

This week, Eden will be facing off against Jamie Jones from Wales in the opening round of the 2016 Betway UK Championship in York.

At the same event last year, Eden lost 6-5 to Alan McManus.

McManus took the deciding frame on the blue ball in a thriller, though Eden is hoping for better fortune this time around.

The Coral Scottish Open 2016 will be taking place in Glasgow’s Emirates Arena between December 12 and 18 with a total prize money of £366,000 up for grabs.

Eden added: “It will be nice to play at home in front of my family and friends supporting me.”