ANDY’S ARMY
Scotland skipper Robbo leads the tributes for Arbroath hero Alan as he powers past No.7 seed in style
AWESOME Alan Soutar has revealed that Andy Robertson is the latest big name to back his Ally Pally glory bid.
The Arbroath fireman produced another red-hot show at the William Hill World Championships to send No.7 seed Jose De Sousa spinning out and go hurtling into the last 16.
Super Soutar produced a gutsy display to stick with the Portuguese star before a spectacular 136 finish sealed a magnificent win.
Tartan-clad Soutar was swamped by messages of congratulations after setting up a clash with Geordie Callan Rydz today.
And Scottish football skipper Robbo joined Soutar’s hometown club Arbroath in saluting the 43-year-old.
Soutar said: “Scotland captain Andy Robertson has just tweeted me.
“The hysteria behind all that is just incredible.
“It’s amazing to feel the backing from my home town. My football club are all sending me messages of congratulations and to keep it going – the Arbroath spirit.
“The backing on social media from Scotland is incredible.
“I’m on my own on that stage in a cauldron of English fans. It’s a daunting place but when you can go home from a win and go on social media and look at all the nice comments, it’s really pleasing.”
Soutar’s win was even more remarkable given he worked night shifts at the Dundee Kingsway East Fire Station on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before returning to London to build on his superb triumph over Mensur Suljovic in round two.
He said: “I’ve been at work for the last two days.
“When I was at 3-3 in sets, I thought I’ve got to swap [shifts] anyway on the 31st, so I might as well win and swap tomorrow [Thursday]. The swaps are covered until the first of January.
“My job is a firefighter, I’ll be a firefighter for the future. I can’t give up my job to play darts.
“The finances and the other stuff are great. I’m taking it bit by bit. That’s not a decision I need to think of right away.
“After 20 years in the fire brigade you get a long service medal and to get my medal from the Queen in three years’ time is a big thing for me.”
Incredibly, Soutar missed 45 darts at doubles and survived a match dart from De Sousa.
He said: “That’s darts, everyone misses doubles.
“I’m not trying to make it dramatic, I’m actually trying to win 4-0.
“But it’s impossible to play your best darts up there. It’s so hard for a new player to take all that in and deal with the crowd and the TV.
“But if my best game can come out up there I can go further.
“I don’t fear any of the top players. They have got to beat me. End of story.
“It is a fairytale. I think someone is looking down on me, especially when they miss match darts. “I think maybe it’s just my
time.”