GARY ANDERSON admits he needs more nerves ahead of an emotional
homecoming to Scotland.
The Flying Scotsman has won just four matches in 12 Premier League clashes ahead of Night 13 at the OVO Hydro tonight (Thursday).
Ando, 51, faces fellow Scot Peter Wright but believes he needs an extra edge in front of his Tartan fans.
He said: “Every time I went onto the stage before Covid, I used to get really nervous.
“These days, though, I feel as though I am just turning up without a nerve in my body.
“I used to go to the events and be really nervy. I’ve known myself to be sick backstage with nerves on really big nights.
“Maybe those nerves will come back when I see so many Scottish fans coming out to support us. I’ll be nervous that I don’t want to mess up.
“If I am going to get beaten, just make sure you play well. Don’t let yourself down.
“For example, it was a great night in Aberdeen, only for my result to be terrible.
“It’ll be good to get back up again to Glasgow and I’ll do my best to try and kick into gear.”
Anderson has endured contrasting fortunes in this PL campaign, one night win in Nottingham but only one other victory over Michael van Gerwen.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to the night, I’m just a bit gutted that I’m playing absolute guff.
“I just cannot seem to hit a barn door on the stage at the moment.
“It’s just one of those things and I’ve reached a stage where I have settled for what’s happening in some ways.
“If I want to get right back into it, I have to give it 110 per cent and, right now, I just can’t. I’ve actually found I have a life to live and it’s enjoyable.”
Anderson, stuck at bottom of the table, has been centre stage on some of the great Premier League nights in Glasgow. But he knows he needs to find that old magic for the Hydro.
He added: “I have to apologise for the way I am playing just now. I just can’t seem to get myself out of the hole.
“But the thing is, if my game suddenly turns up in Glasgow, I’ll win it.
“That’s what happened in Nottingham a few weeks. It can happen again.
“I’m going to try a heavier set of darts. They are going fine in practice.”
Night 13 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow, 7pm Sky Sports.
Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v James Wade
Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen v Joe Cullen
Story by Phil Lanning. Image by Taylor Lanning.
