You need a fire extinguisher to put him out, says darts star as he reveals Luke Littler’s ‘false sense of security’
ROB CROSS believes he needs a FIRE EXTINGUISHER to put out red-hot Luke Littler.
The 2018 world champion has been given the nightmare draw of facing the 17-year-old in the World Grand Prix on Monday.
World No4 Cross, 34, has been in excellent form but knows that the teen sensation will put the heat on him on his GP debut in the double-start event in Leicester.
Cross said: “The boy has been amazing for the game. He’s a really good lad and we’ve practiced a lot this year in the Premier League.
“I’m definitely not threatened by him at all, he’s raised the profile of the game so high for us all.
“That doesn’t stop me wanting to beat him. I think it’s the same for all the top boys, he just makes you want to raise your game. He’s definitely upped the standard.
“You just know that he can turn it up a notch at any stage during a game.
“Sometimes he almost lulls you into a false sense of security and then BAM, he hits you with a nine-darter or 170 finish.
“When he decides to turn up the heat you need a fire extinguisher to put him out!
“But seriously it’s a really tough draw for me. But I know I have the game to do what it takes. My own Grand Prix history isn’t great, but that will change.”
It will be Littler’s debut in the double-start event which can be daunting for some top players.
But Cross added: “Nothing worries Luke at all. He eats pressure for breakfast.
“Somewhere deep down he will know that all eyes are on him but he deals with it so well.
“I think that’s what is so impressive about him. He’s a great darts player, yep, we all know that. But it’s the pressure that he copes with so amazingly and that’s what makes him so dangerous.
“He’s red-hot on stage but handles it so cool. He’s a great kid and will take some stopping for years to come.
“But my only job right now is to stop him on Monday. I know I can do that.
“I’ve got a great team around me these days. I’ve got a great manager in Rab Bain, I’m enjoying the game and that makes me play my best stuff.
“That’s been happening more consistently. Now I need to find an extra level against Luke. Bring it on.”