11 months ago
96
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN labelled his world championship rivals “poo pants”, before he claimed he was a better player than Luke Littler at 16 years old.
Dutchman Van Gerwen, 34, booked his spot in the last 16 at Alexandra Palace with a comfortable 4-0 win over compatriot Richard Veenstra on Wednesday night.
Michael van Gerwen took aim at his rivals who want to go under the radarRoddy Scott - The Sun Glasgow
Van Gerwen also claimed he was better than Luke Littler as a 16-year-oldPABut during his post-match press conference, he then proceeded to slam a number of his fellow competitors.
Reporters asked the three-time world champion what he makes of players that want to go under the radar in the tournament.
To which he replied: “Because they are all poo pants. If they want to go under the radar, that’s [raspberry noise].”
Van Gerwen is expected to receive a hostile reception when he faces home favourite Stephen Bunting in the next round.
But when asked about the crowd, he added: “Me, worry about what the crowd does, really? I have more experience than that, I don’t really care.”
Van Gerwen was then quizzed on the talent of Warrington wonderkid Littler, 16.
The youngster, who is making his PDC World Darts Championship debut, progressed into the fourth round with a 4-1 win over Canadian Matt Campbell.
Yet Van Gerwen, who reached his first final in 2013 at the age of 23, believes he was a better talent than Littler.
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And he even gave the teenage sensation some criticism when it comes to his technique.
He said: “Yes and no. I think if you look like talent-wise then I think I was slightly better but he doesn’t care whoever he plays and that’s why I admire him.
“He’s a big talent. Me and Vincent [Van der Voort] spoke about him and he has got one little thing in his throw on the end that I don’t really fancy.
“But for the rest he can win a lot of tournaments in the future of darts – 100 per cent.”
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