Wright ready to ruffle more rivals’ feathers

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT spent his first day at home after becoming a two-time World Champion mucking out his chickens. 

Now the Scottish ace is ready to ruffle more feathers by stating he will win more titles to annoy his rivals. 

Wright, 51, was told to ‘shut his gob’ by his biggest opponents in 2021 after he vowed to win the Matchplay and Worlds. But he did both and now has his eye on the Premier League title. 

He revealed: “I got back home on the Wednesday, unpacked the car and mucked out the chickens. It was also good to see my dogs and cats for the first time in ages. 

“I already have new targets. I don’t need to say much now. I would love to win the Premier League, I’ve missed my chances on that one too many times. 

“It’s not about money, I’ve not even thought about the £500k for the Worlds. I just love playing and winning titles. I’m not worried about the money. I don’t get it anyway!

“I just want to get more socks and Space Jam boxers. I forgot my lucky pants for the Ally Pally and they are worn out now.”

The hostile Ally Pally crowd chanted “Scotland get battered everywhere they go” throughout the tournament aimed at the Dartan Army stars Wright, Gary Anderson, Alan Soutar and Willie Borland. 

But Wright was quick to dismiss that statement after the excellent progress for the Scotland football team in Euro 2020 and bidding to reach Qatar 2022. He even mentioned the achievements of Scotland’s cricket squad.

Of course, Wright won his second World Cup for his country with John Henderson in 2021, the second time he has won the World Championship and taken national glory in the same year, previously winning with Gary Anderson.

When asked about the chanting at the Ally Pally, Wright laughed it off adding: “We never got battered in the World Cup, either. 

“The football team is playing great. They have started to turn a corner and are playing some fantastic matches.

“Scotland’s cricket team did well by qualifying for the World Cup a little while ago as well.

“I know they didn’t do as well, but that was a stepping stone. So Scotland in general is doing brilliantly.”

Arbroath’s Soutar roared up the rankings to World No.51 with a cracking run to the last 16 and West Lothian’s Borland produced arguably the best moment of the Worlds with his deciding leg perfect leg nine-darter.

There is now a real fight on to partner Wright as he bids for a hat-trick of World Cup wins later this year.

He said: “I don’t know how they are going to pick it. If John gets the choice or the nod because he is the defending champion.

“I know Gary declined last year, whether he decides he wants to come back this year, that’d be fantastic.

“But if it is John or Alan, he’s quality and only going to get better and better as well, it’s great for Scottish darts.

“Hopefully, we can get Robert Thornton back on track and get him back up the rankings as well.”