IAN McCulloch is not resting on his laurels after his heroics in the Totesport Grand Prix at Preston's Guild Hall.

The 33-year-old, pocketed £30,000 and leaped from 17th to 13th in the world rankings for making the final of the event.

He claimed the scalps of Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White along the way and crushed Michael Judge 5-1 in the semi-final before his 9-5 defeat to world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan on Sunday.

But the Walton-le-Dale man reckons his game can still improve and fans have not yet seen the best of him.

He said: "I was actually disappointed not to win the tournament even though I was obviously pleased to make the final. But I think the best of my snooker is still to come in terms of improving my all round game as well as my ranking position.

"That's now down to me to prove. I don't believe there are 16 better players in the world than me and I am in with a great chance of getting into the top eight.

"I know I have the ability and now I am getting better at the mental aspects of the game as well."

Grand Pix victor O'Sullivan also backed McCulloch to make to the top in the game.

Speaking after the final he said: "Ian is capable of going on and winning tournaments. He will be disappointed because he badly wanted to win this tournament in his home town, but I am sure his day will come soon, he just has to keep sticking in there."

Ian's next big tournament is a world ranking event at Brighton in November.

"In a way my first game in Brighton will be harder than the final because there are more ranking points at stake. If I win it and lose after that I still get full ranking points."

But, after taking a couple of days break following the tournament Ian will first be kept busy with a string of exhibition matches, with his first at Bamber Bridge Conservative Club on Thursday, October 14.