O’Sullivan beat Martin Gould 6-3 at York’s Barbican Centre to draw up a mouthwatering semi-final against Maguire.

He edged Maguire 10-2 in the 2007 UK final, and even longer ago predicted the Scot would “dominate for a decade” after losing to him in this event in 2004.

World No20 Maguire, 36, lifted the trophy that year but has not quite lived up to that lofty billing despite winning five ranking titles.

O’Sullivan, who has enjoyed titles in the past seven weeks at the English Open and Shanghai Masters, is homing in on an 18th major title that would equal the record set by seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry.

O’Sullivan said: “Stephen is a great player, he looks to be hitting it well and it should be a really good match.

“He beat me up back in 2004 and he has obviously remembered that comment I made. He’s right really, I agree with him… I do talk some bollocks! If I told you everything I was feeling I would be committed to a nuthouse.”

Maguire, the 2004 UK winner, survived a late rally from England’s Joe Perry to claim a 6-3 victory, and asked about O’Sullivan’s prediction, he said: “He does talk some bollocks sometimes!

“He brings the crowd, and is an entertainer. It is an easy one to get up for, I hope it is a great match and if I lose I will be devastated.

“He is the best in my view, and one of the only players I would pay money myself to go and watch. Overall he is playing better now than he ever has.

“He smashed me in the final of the UK once back in 2007, 10-2, and we have played three times here with me winning that one in 2004. That was a great win for me back then.

“I was fearless then and went for everything. You do get battle scare but I still like to think I am an attacking player.

“He gets all the fans shouting out ‘Come on Ronnie’ and he handles it well, it’s harder for him. I wouldn’t like that every time I was at the table.”