SNOOKER ace Ross Muir has vowed to stick to the practice table over the festive period in a bid to build on his promising display at the Scottish Open.

The Musselburgh star last week knocked out former world champion and defending champion Neil Robertson on his way to the last 32 of the competition, which was played at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Muir is back in action today (Thursday) when he takes on Li Yuan in a bid to reach the German Masters.

It is a busy time of year for the 23-year-old, with no festive break on the cards.

He told Courier Sport: “I like to be nice and busy and I have been working on a lot of things in the last couple of months.

“Because of the amount of tournaments, I can almost see my progress.

“There has been a lot of progress, for sure, every tournament I am upgrading something.

“It is really making a big difference with what I am working on now.

“I am certainly more competitive with the top guys.

“Before there was a bit of a gulf between the level I was at and the guys at the top of the game.

“I am practising very hard and working on things away from the table, like my fitness and the psychology of snooker.”

Muir, who is working alongside former world champions John Higgins and Graeme Dott, defeated Robertson 4-2 in Glasgow in a match which was broadcast live on television.

The result also marked Muir’s first victory over a world champion.

However, the victory – and the win in the previous round – came despite suffering from an eye condition.

Muir said: “I am prone to ocular migraines.

“During the UK Championships in York, I had to stop my match against Matthew Stevens because of the issue.

“I suffered one of those attacks and it was really impossible to play.

“In my first-round match in Glasgow against Alexander Ursenbacher I had a very, very similar issue and also against Neil Robertson.”

The issue was highlighted on social media and a number of snooker fans got in touch with suggestions on how to treat the problem.

Muir added: “Basically it is like almost steam, like you are in a room with a lot of steam.

“It is very restrictive and causes blurred vision but it is only in my right eye. I’m confident these issues are not going to affect me like they have in recent times.

“I got a lot of suggestions, Jimmy White contacted his doctor and he has given me some very good suggestions.”

Success at the German Masters qualifiers, which take place in Barnsley, would see former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil Muir head to Berlin in the New Year, with competition heading to Switzerland before that tournament.

Muir stressed Christmas would not see him putting his feet up and relaxing. He said: “There will be no big Christmas dinners or alcohol being consumed.

“I will maybe have a wee half afternoon off for Christmas dinner but I will not be stopping – I have got tournaments non-stop.

“I could have chosen to stop over Christmas and the New Year but because I can see real progress I am continuing.”