PRICE: “IT’S NOT GAME OVER”

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE insists it’s not “game over” for the rest of the big stars chasing Luke Littler.

The Iceman continued his hoodoo over the teen sensation with a sixth successive win over him in the Premier League final in Nottingham.

Price, 40, reckons that The Nuke will go on to win more world titles than Phil Taylor.

But he is ready to write off himself from stopping Littler in his tracks for the next few years.

He revealed: “It’s not game over. I have just beaten him with a 94 average, it’s not game over. Nine times out of ten you need to play well to beat him.

“If you don’t play well, then nine times out of ten you don’t win. I speak highly of him. Then other players say, nah, nah, it’s like they don’t want to admit to it.

“It’s the same playing against Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, you know you need to play well to beat these players.

“Honestly, he’s fantastic, I cannot praise him enough, he has done wonders for this sport. We all need to start winning now because in the next couple of years he will be unbeatable. Luke has taken to another level.

“When I lost to Michael and I had lost 1-2-3, it’s probably me thinking about it. He’s human, so he does think a little bit and probably thinks a little bit too much about me, rather his own game.

“He played well, I took my chances, maybe it’s in his head a little bit. It affects some people, he is a strong kid, he has a strong mind.”

Price also admits that Littler has motivated him to try and reach the levels when he became world champion in 2021.

He added: “Luke’s probably the rest why I am winning at the minute. He’s spurred me on a bit. I want to get back to my best.

“I am not at my best by far. The most consistent I get, the less chances he will have anyway. I have beaten him six times, I am not at my best. It makes me get on the board. I think he’s great. I probably talk too much about him – let’s talk about myself.

“I don’t think he will get much better but he can be consistent. If he doesn’t hit a lull, in maybe 4-5-6 years time, when he’s probably won enough money, won everything, then if he still wants it, I think he can do it. But it’s down to him, the way he is.

“If I win three world titles, I’m happy. I am happy with one. If I win another two. I don’t think I will be around in the next 5-10 years.

“If I win another two, I’m happy. I won’t be done by 50, I won’t give my tour card up. I will probably be over the hill a little bit. I would be, wouldn’t I? But then Peter Wright started playing his best at 50. So I might win 16 world titles.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.