VAN VEEN DOUBLES DOWN ON LITTLER CLAIMS

By Phil Lanning 

GIAN VAN VEEN has dismissed Luke Littler’s claims that he was only celebrating towards his girlfriend Faith. 

The Dutchman gave The Nuke a death stare after the teen sensation appeared to celebrate him missing a winning double during their feisty clash in Manchester a fortnight ago.  

But Littler broke his silence on the incident over the weekend insisting: “I did a little fist pump towards Faith and her dad. He is staring at me. I did not do it to him. I did it to Faith and her dad, the whole crowd.” 

But Van Veen doubled down on his view that the celebration was aimed at him.  

He told the Double Tops podcast: “I’ve seen Luke’s interview and he’s shared his opinion, which he’s entitled to do.  

“I still stand by what I said straight after the game that he was celebrating me missing a double – that’s how I saw it then and that’s how I see it now.  

“It’s been the talk of the town for the last couple of weeks and I’m sure it will be for the next couple of weeks, but I just want to try and focus on my own game. 

“I’d like to think the next time I see Luke I will speak to him and we will be able to sort it out.  

“I’m quite good at keeping things like this separate and keeping my focus on darts. I think it’s helped that I didn’t really get any stick for it. 

“Everyone saw in Brighton what the crowd did to him. Luckily for me, that didn’t happen to me and I think that has helped me. 

“It didn’t really affect my game so far and as I said, I stand by what I said at the time.” 

Van Veen also admitted he has loved his debut season in the Premier League. 

He added: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind so far – a bit up and down. Of course, the start was very good for me, making three finals out of the first four nights, but since then, it’s not really gone my way.  

“But to be fair, I haven’t played at the standard I expect of myself, and, especially in this tournament, it’s going to be tough to grind out some wins. 

“I’ve really enjoyed it so far, and I’m still going to do that for the next five weeks. I’m still in the mix, even though I’m not playing at my best, and I think that’s all that matters. 

“I don’t think I’m performing well enough to be sitting here and saying ‘I should have won a couple of nights.’ Of course, it’s not all about averages, but mine is not up there with the rest of the players, who are playing a bit better. 

“I’ve still grinded out some important wins, especially in the weeks that I’ve made the finals, so I’m still there or thereabouts. I’m not that far behind the top four, so anything can happen.” 

The Dutchman also explained his target for the rest of the BetMGM Premier League campaign, with the top four, and a place at London’s O2 Arena, what he has his eyes on. 

He said: “The top four is the main target for now,” Van Veen added. “However, I still realise that it’s my first time in the Premier League and while I’m world number three, there are so many great players in the tournament 

“Because it’s my first year and everything that has happened with my kidney stones and stuff like that I’m just trying to enjoy myself. I’m not 100 per cent fit yet and so it’s mostly about enjoying the atmosphere and enjoying being up there in this tournament for the first time. 

“We’ll see how it goes in the end, but of course, you want to finish in the top four.” 

Image by Taylor Lanning.