Tony Drago is determined to keep the ball rolling after playing a starring role in last weekend’s Legends Cup.

Revelling in the limelight during the three-day event, shown live on Eurosport, Drago was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) after helping the Rest of the World beat England 18-14 to make up for last year’s defeat.

“The fact that I was named MVP is a sign that I’ve done something good during the event,” Drago told Times of Malta.

“Last year, we lost 18-16 but this time we beat them 18-14. The Legends Cup is snooker’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup (golf) and the Mosconi Cup (pool).

“The organiser has plans to stage it outside England. Hopefully, we’ll manage to bring it to Malta in the future.”

Drago teamed up with Neil Robertson, of Australia, Scottish legend Stephen Hendry and Cliff Thornburn (Canada) for the Rest of the World while the ‘home’ team was made up of Ronnie O’Sullivan, fresh from his World Cham-pionship success, Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and Jimmy White.

“There’s a lot of humour during the sessions but no-one likes to lose,” Drago said. “I train with Jimmy White and there’s a lot of friendly banter between us.

“I didn’t have a particularly good year but this event enabled me to get some television exposure which is very important.

“When you play in a televised event, you gain in confidence.

“Besides, after our defeat to England and Northern Ireland last year, we didn’t want to lose again as that would have been like a mental scar for us.”

Drago may have slid down the world snooker rankings in the last couple of years but that has done little to diminish his popularity among snooker enthusiasts.

Known as Tornado for his super-quick potting, Drago lived up to his reputation as an entertainer and crowd-puller during the Legends Cup.

“It’s all about personality,” Drago said of his selection to the Rest of the World team for the second year running.

“Other players may have enjoyed more success than me but the organisers want people who thrill the audience, players who show passion and I’m not lacking in that.”

After his successful participation in the Legends Cup, Drago is now preparing to compete in the qualifiers for the Wuxi Classic and the Australian Open.

The Maltese cueist has also ventured into the nine-ball game in the past few years but snooker remains his no.1 sport.

“It’s definitely snooker,” Drago said. “I like pool but I’d say that I have 95 per cent of snooker and five per cent of pool in me.”

And the 47-year-old has not given up hope of reclaiming a place among the top 32-ranked players.

“I finished the year ranked 82nd and my position hasn’t changed after the world championship,” Drago said.

“Barry Hearn (WSA chairman) has given everyone, including players who like myself have been struggling, a chance to compete, so it’s really up to us. My goal is to get back there (top 32).”

The Legends Cup also gave Drago the opportunity to share the stage with O’Sullivan, the world’s best snooker player who earlier this month sealed his fifth World Championship crown with an 18-12 win over Barry Hawkins in the final at the Crucible.

O’Sullivan’s success was all the more impressive considering that it was his first competitive tournament after taking a one-year break from the game.

For Drago, O’Sullivan is the most talented sportsman in the world.

“O’Sullivan is unique,” Drago said. “He’s more talented than Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.

“In all sports, he’s the most gifted and he proved that by winning the World Championship after a year away from the game.”

Good friends

Sullivan’s glittering career has been overshadowed by his frequent threats to quit but Drago, himself no stranger to the occasional emotional outburst, is convinced that the 37-year-old will not walk away.

“We have a Mediterranean temperament,” Drago said. “I’m Maltese and O’Sullivan’s mother is Sicilian, so he’s got a bit of Mediterranean temperament in him.

“I don’t think O’Sullivan will leave snooker. He will not play in all the tournaments but he will not quit.

“He’s one of my best mates.

“After the sessions at the Legends Cup, I spent most of my time with O’Sullivan and White. We’re good friends.”