Gary Anderson backs Luke Littler to dominate darts but names three rivals who could topple 17-year-old
GARY ANDERSON says his money is on Luke Littler to dominate darts.
The Flying Scotsman also revealed that he believes the teenager is the most naturally gifted player in the history of the sport.
Anderson, 53, roared into the knockout stages of the Grand Slam with a classy win over old foe Michael van Gerwen.
But on Littler, he said: “I’ve been fortunate in this world to stand on stages with Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, who knows who the next one is going to be.
“Money is on Luke Littler. But the amount of players who are coming through, I think it’s going to be a hard few years for these boys.
“Ryan Joyce, Mike De Decker, Ritchie Edhouse, he was fantastic in the Europeans. There’s so many more. Luke is special but there’s a lot of these boys not far off him.
“It was like when Taylor dominated, everyone got closer and closer.
“Nobody is scared. Those days are long gone. Some players taking on Phil Taylor were beat before they even played.
“Youngsters don’t care. That’s what I like about Luke, that young age, they don’t care who it is. You get to a certain age and you start thinking.”
Anderson has one more group game against Noa-Lynn van Leuven before his last 16 clash.
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But when asked whether he believes he’s the most gifted player ever in the sport, he said: “I’m going to say yes. Because I tell you I don’t practice. Nobody believes me. Stick a camera on me and follow me about for a year and we’ll see.
“I’ve played darts for 30-odd years, if you don’t know where the treble 20 is by now, take up another hobby!”
Anderson has so far failed to win the Slam, his favourite event, but believes this could be his year.
He added: “As long as I’m playing and don’t sit about. I struggle with the Europeans because it’s three matches in one day.
“This is a day at a time so hopefully I can stick in.
“Every game is the same. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing Michael van Gerwen or a 98-year-old granny in an exhibition.
“I’m there to play darts. It’s the same with the kids. I missed a nine-darter against a youngster, he ended up crying. His dad said ‘why you doing that?’ I said he’s not beating me. I ain’t losing.”
Inside Littler’s massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.
