Soutar looks to keep the dream going

ALAN Soutar will take on Mensur Suljovic tonight bidding to book a post-Christmas return to the PDC World Championship side.

The Angus darts ace, known as Soots, faces world No 26 Suljovic in the second round after his debut win over Diogo Portela on Sunday.

And in Day 2 of our behind-the-flights video diary, Soots has given us an exclusive insight into his match build-up.

Soutar’s stepson Logan, who is at London with the Dundee firefighter, turned 18 on Tuesday and enjoyed some birthday shopping.

Soots also took an emotional walk past the city’s military monuments as he remembered fallen Iraq war hero Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Karl Evans.

Nicknamed ‘Welly’, the Welshman served at 29 Commando at the same time as Soutar.

Welly lost his life, aged 24, in a helicopter crash in 2003.

“This always brings back memories of people who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Soutar.

“Right now I’m thinking about Welly. Memorial things always take me back to him as I was really good friends with him.

“These kind of things are really important to me and should be important to everyone in the UK.”

Soutar ended his Tuesday night with a private practice session with 2018 PDC world champion Rob Cross.

Cross is currently 11th in the world and faces five-times champion Raymond van Barneveld tonight.

And Soutar added: “You aren’t going to get much better practice than with a former world champion.

“Rob is 11th in the world right now. It’s good practice for me but also for Rob as he plays Barney.

“I have a bit of friendship with him on the Pro Tour and we practice together.

“His manager is Scottish so we have a bit of a link there. Away from the oche and TV cameras, Rob is a really good guy.”