Luke Littler, 17, hits back at Van Gerwen after darts legend's 'big boy' taunts

LUKE LITTLER responded to Michael van Gerwen's taunts by promising: I can take on the big boys in the Premier League.

The Warrington sensation, 17, will make his Prem debut in Cardiff tomorrow.

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Three-time world champion MVG was asked if he would help protect the youngster.

But the Dutchman, 34, replied: “Of course not. Welcome to the big boys. Those days are over. He is no longer a youth player.

“Now you have to compete against each other on the stage, there can be no more mercy.

“You have to fight for every stage, every match. Everyone plays for themselves.”

When Littler was told about the jibe, he said, “Sure, I'm one of them now!” I competed with them in the big boy competition. I know what awaits. I can handle it all myself.

“If not, I will speak to my father and manager if it all goes wrong.

'But I'm mature enough to know what's going to happen.

“This is what I signed up for: to play with the best of the best. I have to beat them every week somehow.”

Littler has already proven he can do that. Since emerging from Ally Pally he has defeated five of his seven Prem rivals: Van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price (twice) and Rob Cross.

Those victories came in three events, including a nine-darter against Aspinall at the Bahrain Darts Masters, which Littler won.

He has yet to play Michael Smith and Peter Wright.

Littler's Prem opener is a repeat of the World Darts Championship final between him and world number 1 Humphries, who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy that evening.

And Littler wants to get into the heads of his rivals during the 17-week competition.

The world number 31 said: “I know I can beat anyone if I put my mind to it.

“I've seen quite a few people say, 'Will the pressure get to him?' But I just do what I'm good at. Throw my darts at the board.”

ORDER OF GAME (quarter-finals, best of 11 legs): Wright v Cross, Price v Aspinall, Van Gerwen v Smith, Littler v Humphries.