Smith says it would be a "privilege" to grab Premier League spot

ROSS SMITH admits it'd be a privilege to seize a cherished Premier League place.

But the European Championship top seed is adamant he's keeping the prized prospect out of his head as he hunts glory in Dortmund.

Smith's outstanding recent form has placed him into many pundits' conversations about a potential PL debut in 2027.

The Englishman is a serious contender, but said: "Honestly, I'm not thinking about it at all. It's in my hands, but it's out of my hands as well. At the end of the day, ultimately, I don't pick it. I'd love to be in it. It'd be a privilege, it'd be something I have worked for my whole life, so if it happens, then great. But if it doesn't, I'll keep working hard and that's what it's about.

"I've got a great job, I earn a great living and you are playing in front of all of these people, what more do you want?"

Smith stayed on course for a second European Championship title with his see-saw 10-7 win over Damon Heta at the last 16 stage.

The No.1 seed was imperious during the opening session of the clash averaging over 112 and limiting Heta to just a single dart at double as he raced into a 5-0 lead.

However, in the latter part of the match, the fluidity dipped and the Aussie battled back before the 2022 champion eventually got over the line.

Smith lobbed a couple of darts in the air after hitting the winning shot and, asked afterwards if that was down to disgust or relief, he replied: said: "Bit of both, to be fair. Disgust and relief. Damon, all credit to him. He didn't give up and kept coming back at me. He should be called boomerang, shouldn't he! I don't know what happened, to be fair. I think they closed the doors and then the draft stopped. I was averaging 112 and then it went all to pot.

"But no, again, that's what darts is. Playing the best players in the world, sometimes you have got to win ugly and I done that again. A win's a win and onto the next one."

Smith, of course, knows how to win the title having captured the crown four years, but said: "I've only done it once, though. Let's not forget that and it was a long time ago. But I'm feeling really good. This is the best I have felt in a couple of weeks. Even though it was maybe a bit edgy towards the end, I tried not to make a big deal of it and laugh it off in my own way and not put pressure on myself. Tomorrow is another day and bring it on."