I’d rather my boy was the new Andy Murray than the new me
DARTS ALLY PALLY COUNTDOWN SAYS GARY ANDERSON
BY CRAIG SWAN GARY ANDERSON aims to make a racket this New Year by netting a World Championship hat-trick.
But the Scottish hero would rather see his boy Tai try to emulate Andy Murray or Kenny Dalglish instead of him.
Anderson has geared up for the big one at Alexandra Palace by enjoying time with his young son and daughter Cheylea.
A less gruelling schedule has paid off with the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League making it a trio of major titles in 2018.
Getting set for the biggest of the lot, the 47-year-old has seen no reason to switch approach.
Anderson played practice events the past two weekends but savouring extra time with the young ones during the week has his mind fixed for Ally Pally.
He said: “It’s great spending time at home with the kids and especially getting to see Tai making his own way in the world of sport. He’s a really active kid and playing a lot of football and tennis.
“When I lost the semi-final of the Players Championship to Michael van Gerwen it was a bit of a blessing because it meant I got home to see Tai after he’d scored two goals for his team.
“His tennis is really good too. The boy has some shot on him and I’m really pleased with how competitive he is.
“I’d definitely like him to play tennis. I’d rather he was trying to be the next Andy Murray. He knows how to throw decent darts but I want him outdoors and smashing a racquet about.
“In all honesty I feel refreshed this year by being around the kids. The wee one (Cheylea) is coming on great and it allows me to not think about darts. I go home, chill out, mess about with them and don’t even think about practising. That’s the greatest preparation.”
Away from the arrows Anderson credits fishing with putting him in a good frame of mind. But he’s back in full work mode for the “one everyone wants to win.”
Anderson, who begins his world title treble tilt on Friday, said: “Any opportunity I get I’m out fishing. I’ve not done too bad this year so what I’m doing seems to be working.
“I’m only doing about 50 per cent of the tournaments so I’m still fourth in the rankings.”
The tartan ace has made three of the past four finals and added: “For me it’s just about turning up and playing my own game, which if I do then I know there’s a good chance I could win it.
“I say could win it because there are so many good players nowadays. It used to be if you played well you would win. Now it’s just could win.” JOHN HIGGINS last night admitted this could be his final year in snooker if he can’t shrug the feeling of being a “house husband”.
The four-time world champion is struggling with form and only scraped through his Scottish Open first-round clash.
The 43-year-old said: “If I don’t rediscover the love and hunger for the game by the end of this year then I would seriously think about quitting.
“If my mindset doesn’t change then there would be no point in playing on.
“If I still feel like I do right now then that could be it, simple as that.
“It’s tough when you’re not putting any effort in during practice and not wanting to put that effort in.
“I know my play is going to be pretty poor because of that, so what’s the point of going out there and putting yourself through it?”
Higgins is set to take on Northern Irishman Gerard Greene today having made it past Adam Duffy 4-3 despite a broken rib.
He added: “I just feel like I’m stuck in the house 24/7 but now I realise what going stir-crazy is.
“They’re known as house husbands and that’s how I feel a bit. It can be pretty soul-destroying when you’re stuck among the four walls.”
Alan McManus beat England’s John Astley 4-2 as Scott Donaldson saw off Englishman Rory McLeod 4-2 to boost the Scottish second-round contingent.