LITTLER HUNGRY FOR MORE WINS

By Phil Lanning

LUKE LITTLER says he’ll stay hungry for wins by WINDING-UP jeering fans.

The die-hard Manchester United supporter admits he loves the banter and booing from rival footie team fans at different Premier League venues. 

Littler, 18, breezed to a fourth Premier League night victory, extending his lead at the top of the table to EIGHT points in Newcastle. 

The teen sensation dropped just four legs in three matches that lasted just 36 minutes in total at the Utilita Arena on Thursday night. 

He revealed: “The fans, they’ll always boo you if you’re in the place, like Newcastle and the likes of Liverpool.

“But the banter’s always going to be there as a United fan going to the likes of Newcastle. Liverpool’s coming up, Leeds is going to be coming up. But they’re the ones that I most look forward to.

“I always say to myself when you come into these crowds, just expect the worst. And if it’s not the worst, you’ve just got to look at yourself and go, this is actually worse than I expected, so let’s go on with the darts.

“But as soon as you’re at the 180s, then that’s when they start to like it and then that’s when they start to like me a bit more. 

“I’ve just got to stay hungry within myself, obviously go for the fifth nightly win, stay at top spot, try not to drop off from there. I’ve got a nice gap at the top, but it’s all about just trying to make more history for myself.”

Despite being World Champion and his Premier League dominance, Littler continues to stay humble and refuses to get carried away.

He added: “Performances, I think that goes to show how everyone does say I’m the best in the world at the minute. 

“But you know me, I never really say I’m the best in the world, but I’m performing better than these guys. 

“So maybe I should be saying I’m the best in the world, but we’ll just see how it goes.

“When I’m playing certain players, I know when I’ve got them and it does show. Luke Humphries, he shows a bit too much.

“And as a player, you’re like: Alright, he’s hit a 60 or a 41 and he’s not happy about it. And then his next throw, he’ll hit the same score, so you just have to pounce.”

The Nuke also did meet the Newcastle players who attended the Premier League night in their home city. But he added: “I definitely didn’t see them. But I’ve seen a clip of Dan Burn, I think he was loving me walk-on. Maybe Chris (Dobey) won’t be too happy to see that.”

Despite his super-chilled persona, Littler also revealed that he does lose his cool now and again.

He laughed: “Well, you’ve not seen that yet. My darts got sent off stage in Belfast or Dublin, then that’s the worst I’ve done so far!”

Image by Taylor Lanning.