TAYLOR FIRES WARNING AT LITTLER

PHIL TAYLOR has warned Luke Littler that “hard work will beat talent” following his slow start to the Premier League.

‘The Nuke’ currently sits sixth in the table and was thrashed 6-1 by Jonny Clayton in last week’s semi-final after receiving a bye due to Michael van Gerwen’s withdrawal. 

Former world No.1 Taylor admitted he was not surprised by the result, revealing the teenage sensation had travelled to Tenerife for a short holiday just days before competing in Glasgow. 

The 16-time world champion has urged Littler to put in the graft while praising his immense talent. 

He told Express Sport: “Last week, he went to Tenerife. He was with me on the Sunday [at an exhibition], then went to Tenerife for two days, so that’ll knock you out.

“He obviously felt like he needed a break and a bit of sunshine. 

“I said, ‘Are you not practising?’ He said, ‘Nah’. I said, ‘You’re mental, you are, I don’t know how you do it!’  

“Sometimes, if talent doesn’t work hard, hard work will beat talent. These [other] players will be practising.

“But he’ll be there or thereabouts [in the Premier League]. I’ve done that myself, had a slow start and ended up winning it. 

“And when he says he doesn’t practice, he really doesn’t. I was with him a couple of weeks ago at Chester.

“He sat there [before a match] and he never threw a dart. He then went out there and beat Luke Humphries 8-1!

“I could not do that. He’s better than me in that regard. If I was there for two hours beforehand, I’d be practising for two hours. But he’s capable of doing it, he’s brilliant.”

Littler bounced back in style last week by winning the Poland Masters, defeating big rival Gian van Veen in the final. 

The Warrington ace now faces Clayton on Night Four in Belfast as he looks to build on that momentum and continue his strong run of form.

Taylor has also demanded organisers CHANGE the Premier League format ahead of next season.

The eight-player tournament operates on a knockout system, with each competitor facing off once in the quarter-finals during weeks 1-7 and again in weeks 9-15. 

He added: “It’s too much. When me and Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] used to play each other, it was every few weeks; now it’s almost every week and it’s taking the shine off the big games. 

“They’ll change it because there’s too many complaints. Barry [Hearn, PDC president] managed me for years, so I know how he works. He’ll listen to what people have got to say.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.