ROCK BLOWN AWAY BY PRESSURE ON PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT
11/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
JOSH ROCK admits pressure and nerves nearly blew him away on his Premier League debut.
‘Rocky’ was handed a harsh 6-2 defeat by Jonny Clayton on Night One of the major tournament.
The Antrim thrower revealed the bright lights, roaring crowd and sky-high expectations hit him all at once.
Rock did not shy away from just how overwhelming the occasion felt.
He told Oche180: “We have another 15 weeks to go. I enjoyed every single minute of it, hearing all the fans cheering when my name was being called.
“It was a dream come true to be in the Premier League. I was the most nervous I have been in a very long time.
“I still played well, averaging 102, and lost. Jonny [Clayton] played well and I still lost.
“It was a fantastic game and it was incredible just to be there at Newcastle.
“There was a little bit of pressure. I felt it a bit because it was my debut.
“I think in Antwerp I will be fine because I have got the monkey off my back and I have done it.
“Now I know what to expect.
“I knew when I was going to switch to Target that my fortunes were going to change. I also have everything behind the scenes covered.
“I am pushing to where I know I can get to, and I want to win those individual major titles.”
World No.9 Rock had a good start to the year reaching the quarter-final of the Winmau World Masters before falling to Luke Littler.
Rock revealed his ultimate dream is to parade the World Championship trophy around his boyhood club Rangers’ iconic Ibrox stadium.
The 24-year-old and stablemate Rob Cross took to the oche at Edmiston House last Friday in an event for the football team’s Charity Foundation.
He added: “Me being a big Rangers fan, it is a dream come true to play here.
“Obviously, I am very happy they have asked us to do an exhibition here. As a young boy knowing all about Rangers.
“If I win that World title, I think I will be walking around Ibrox with it.”
Rock is also looking ahead, targeting a successful defence of Northern Ireland’s World Cup crown alongside partner Daryl Gurney.
He continued: “It’s going to be great for me and Daryl to go in as the defending champions.
“Hopefully we get two stars on that shirt this year. It would be nice for us.”
Rock returns to action on Thursday evening where he will face Michael van Gerwen in week two of the Premier League at Belgium.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
