Troubled star Mark Allen has admitted he’s struggling to focus on snooker amid his tumultuous personal problems.
The former Masters champion owed £1.1million in debts when he declared himself bankrupt - with a staggering £570,000 in unpaid tax to HMRC.
The world No 11 is also dealing with divorce proceedings and maintenance disputes.
Speaking after losing 4-3 to Martin O’Donnell on the opening day at the Scottish Open, he said: “I’ll be honest it’s really hard to focus on playing.
"But I had the same problems and I won the Northern Ireland Open so that’s no excuse for my bad results.
“Some days are harder than others. I’m trying my very best at the minute but it’s not quite happening.
“Because there are so many different things at the same time they are all sort of interlinked. Any individual problem would probably be much easier to sort out.
“One sort of affects the other. None are relentlessly difficult but together it’s very, very hard to get a resolution.
Allen hopes crisis talks on Friday bring clarity to his off-table troubles.
The Pistol added: “We’re all waiting on a resolution and it will be nice to come and play snooker and have a free mind again.
“I wish that date on Friday was a resolution to everything at once, but it’s just one thing unfortunately.
“Without it I can’t really focus on the other things. I have to see what Friday brings.
“It’s a bit like dominoes; if one falls the rest might follow so that’s what I’m hoping for."
