Hydro heat will be kids stuff for Gary
Scot relishing home shootout
GARY ANDERSON heads for Glasgow tonight aiming to be a Hydro hero.
But the two-times world champion is just as excited at the prospect of unearthing the next generation of kids to keep the Saltire flying high in darts.
Anderson headlines tonight’s Betway Premier League night six in Glasgow when 10,000 home fans will turn up to roar on their hero on against Dave Chisnall.
And the Musselburgh ace was delighted to see more than 30 schoolkids at Ashfield Stadium sign up for the Unicorn Glasgow Darts Youth Academy, a set-up he has put his name to, at the official launch of the venture last night.
Anderson said: “It’s brilliant to see so many kids wanting to learn, practise and play. There are kids as young as three playing and if they keep working hard they’ll be far better than me.
“If this is something I can do to help the game I’m a happy man. If a few of these kids are playing here because I’ve done all right in the game that’s brilliant.
“It’s not just me. Robert Thornton came across to the PDC first and has won a few events and two majors.
“Peter Wright won the UK Open on Sunday. Fair play to him. He was made favourite early in the event but won comfortably in the end and deserved it.
“John Henderson is absolutely sensational on his day. He can beat anyone and is the nicest guy on the circuit. Not forgetting Jamie Harvey who got to world No.4. I don’t think Scottish darts fans have ever had it so good. I can’t remember Scotland having two players in the top three in the world.
“A decade ago there was only about one Scot in the PDC – now we’re a major force and that’s how it should be.
“It genuinely is great to see Scotland buzzing with the game. It can only be a good thing for the future.”
But while the kids are the future Anderson is also ready for the now. He added: “I’ll tell you what, when the fans start singing Flower of Scotland every hair on my neck is on end.
“It’s taken me years to deal with that and still focus on the game. It’s no different this week, it’s about beating an in-form Chizzy. It’ll be tough but I need to do it.
“I got here Wednesday morning and drove right past The Hydro going to my hotel. Seeing it just brought it all home to me what was ahead. It’s so exciting but I need to cope with it.” Wright, fresh from his triumph at the UK Open last weekend, tackles James Wade.
With rankings of world No.2 and No.3 Anderson and Wright are in line to be named as Scotland’s pair for the World Cup in June and would be top seeds for the first time in history.
Anderson said: “It’s up to us to translate our world ranking status into actually winning the World Cup.”
If these kids keep working hard they will be far better than me
GARY ANDERSON