Darts star Michal van Gerwen labels fellow World Darts Championship players ‘poo pants’ as the Dutchman reveals he was better than Luke Littler when he was 16

Darts star Michael van Gerwen labels his fellow World Darts Championship players as ‘poo pants’ following his latest win at Alexandre Palace.

The 34-year-old eased into the last-16 stage following his straight sets victory over Richard Veenstra on Wednesday evening.

He will face Stephen Bunting or Florian Hempel in the next round as the Dutchman looks to pick up his fourth world title.

Van Gerwen was in top form against Veenstra, dropping just three legs and averaging over 100. However, his win came on the same night as Luke Littler’s stunning performance against Matthew Campbell.

The teenage sensation has been on a fairytale run since his shock victory against Christian Kist in the first round of his maiden World Darts Championship last week. Amid chants of ‘you’ve got school in the morning’ from an impassioned home Alexandra Palace crowd, Littler later defeated UK Open champion Andrew Gilding 3-1 – before his recent win over Campbell. 

His comments came after his dominant victory over Richard Veenstra on Wednesday evening

Despite Littler receiving most of the plaudits last night, Van Gerwen stunned reporters with his comments after his win against Veenstra. 

Van Gerwen, who is the favourite to pick up his fourth world title, was asked about players who say they want to go under the radar, with the Dutchman saying: ‘Because they are all poo pants. If they want to go under the radar, that’s [raspberry noise].’ 

He was also asked about potentially facing a tough reception in his next match, saying: ‘Me, worry about what the crowd does, really? I have more experience than that, I don’t really care.’ 

Van Gerwen also weighed in on the star of the tournament so far, Littler. Despite being full of praise for the teenager, the Dutchman believes he was better at his age.

When asked if he understood the comparisons between the two, he told reporters: ‘Yes and no. I think if you look like talent-wise then I think I was slightly better but he doesn’t care whoever he plays and that’s why I admire him. 

‘He’s a big talent. Me and Vincent [Van der Voort] spoke about him and he has got one little thing in his throw on the end that I don’t really fancy, but for the rest he can win a lot of tournaments in the future of darts – 100 per cent.’  

Awaiting Littler in the last-16 could be former world champion, 56-year-old Raymond van Barneveld. 

Barney may no longer be at his peak, but the Dutchman has experience at the top level and poses a major threat to the breakthrough star. 

Van Gerwen reveals he was better than Luke Littler at 16 – despite the teenage sensation’s fairytale run this year 

Van Gerwen will face Stephen Bunting or Florian Hempel in the next round of the competition