Scot counting down days until retirement

BRAVEDART Gary Anderson daubed his face in warpaint and prepared for the final instalments of haggis in wonderland.

On a night of ‘raw emulsion’, Anderson will launch his bid for a third title at the William Hill PDC World Championship tonight, warning he is close to following Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld into retirement. ‘The Flying Scotsman’, who will face Paul Nicholson or Kevin Burness in the second round, turns 48 next week – and says he can’t envisage staying full time when he reaches his half-century. Anderson was caught in the crossfire of twin controversies at the Grand Slam last month when Wesley Harms accused him of farting on stage before he was riled by Gerwyn Price’s antics in an ill-tempered final.

The two-time world champion, who hoisted the Scottish saltire above Ally Pally in 2015 and 2016, dismissed Harms’ claims of noxious warfare as a lot of hot air.

But Anderson was unimpressed with Price’s behaviour, which landed both players on the Darts Regulation Authority’s naughty step.

Asked if he had set a retirement date, he hinted he could follow Barney into the sunset after next year’s world championship.

Retire

Anderson said: “I think I’ll be done before 50. Maybe this world championship and maybe the next one, but that’s it.

“I wouldn’t say I’ll retire 100 per cent – I’ll keep playing now and then, but not very often.

“If I qualify for something, I’ll play in it, but I won’t be chasing ranking points across Europe.

“I wouldn’t do it the way Phil did and retire forever. I would turn up now and then to see if I can keep my Tour card, but once that goes, that will probably be me done.”

It took world No.1 Michael van Gerwen at his best to deny Anderson a triple crown in 2017, and he added: “One more, before I finish, would be nice.

“I had a shot at the hat-trick two years ago, but Van Gerwen did me in the final, then Taylor did me in the quarter-finals last year.

“Everyone says it will be Michael or me, me or Michael, this year, but I can still beat some of these boys without practising – I’d rather be fishing.”

The Scot has renewed his love affair with rod and reel of late, claiming peace on the riverbank is as good as hours on the practice board.

He said: “I first did fishing 30 years ago and I’d forgotten how much fun it was. Some days it shows, sometimes my darts just fall into place.

“A few years back, I would have said my two biggest catches were my world titles, but not any more. I’d rather go fishing – less stress!”