Glen’s put his dart and soul into getting here
Durrant faces night of his career in semi-final shootout with Anderson
GLEN DURRANT insists he’s ready to fulfil a dream and savour the greatest night of his darting life.
The Teessider is adamant that lifting the Premier League crown would eclipse winning his trio of BDO world crowns.
Just a month from his 50th birthday, Durrant can claim the coveted PDC title less than two years after switching organisations.
Despite his inexperience in the elite code, Durrant became just the second man after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to come top of the regular season standings to set up tonight’s semi-final against Gary Anderson.
Victory would give him a shot at either Peter Wright or Nathan Aspinall in the final and the Middlesbrough man is not attempting to downplay the significance of the evening after watching the showpiece in a pub just three years ago.
It might be behind closed doors in Coventry as opposed to the scheduled 20,000 at London’s O2 due to the pandemic but he said: “As far as I’m concerned, this is the biggest night of my darting life now.
“Eighteen months into my PDC career, I’m happy to say I’ve won three Lakeside world titles now, not three world titles.
“It would be tough always to beat that opening Lakeside win over Danny Noppert which was an unbelievable day.
“A Premier League at the O2 in front of 20,000 would supersede it. It’s different circumstances from that but this could still be the biggest night of my career.
It’s a fourhorse race and I’m the outsider. I like that. I’m here to win GLEN DURRANT ON HIS PREMIER LEAGUE CHANCES
“I’m very aware of the situation. This is a monumental night for me.
“It comes with so many other things. Grand Slam, World Series next year. They motivate me, not put pressure on me. I set targets for myself.
“Honestly, opportunities like this don’t come every day of the week. I keep going back to the story of being in a place called the Stockton Buffs playing on a Thursday night. One leg of 401 and looking at these guys in the Premier League on the TV, imagining one day I could be there.
“That was only three years ago. Now it’s about grabbing that opportunity.
“It’s a four-horse race and I’m the outsider. I like that. I’m the only one who has not won a PDC major out of the four as well but I’m here to win it.”
Scots star Anderson is a formidable rival in the last four but Durrant said: “I love the way Gary plays. When he’s flying he’s a joy to watch. It’s a clash of styles but I’m up for the fight.”
Anderson is chasing a third Premier League title and said: “It’d be nice to win it again. It’s not been a great few years and to nick a tournament would be good at this stage of my life.
“Two semis and a final in one night. The boys will be up for it.
“In two games, I need to pull some of the stuff out of the bag that I’ve learned in the last 25 years.
“Glen has played brilliantly. First time in the Premier League is an eye-opener but he’s done great.
“I think the pressure will be on him. He’s come here topping the table. You can lead for the whole season and if you get beaten in the semis, it’s gone.
“To win this tournament for the third time would be fantastic.”