Rob Cross admits Luke Littler’s surge ‘feels like Jack Nicholson in The Shining’ ahead of Players Championship clash

ROB CROSS admits that Luke Littler is looming up down him successful the rankings similar Jack Nicholson successful The Shining!

The 2018 satellite champion faces the teen sensation successful the Players Championship connected Friday successful Minehead.

But Cross, 33, knows helium needs to KO Littler to halt him getting overtaken successful the Order of Merit. Voltage is No.4 with the Warrington wonderkid up to No.5 aft winning the Grand Slam connected Sunday.

Cross said: “It’s a pugnacious gully for some of america I would say, surely this aboriginal successful the tournament.

“The effect successful the Grand Prix means perfectly thing now. Luke volition beryllium buzzing that helium won the Slam but I deliberation helium takes it each successful his stride.

“Trouble is present for maine he’s similar roaring up down maine successful the rankings. It feels similar Jack Nicholson successful The Shining peering done the curtain astatine me!”

The necktie of the circular clash has been dubbed the ‘Target derby’ with some players successful the aforesaid darts stable.

In 9 erstwhile meetings, Littler has won 7 including the World Championship semi-final successful aboriginal January. But Cross won their past clash successful the Grand Prix.

He added: “The lad is conscionable awesome. I can’t accidental capable bully things astir him. He handles himself with specified class.

“He wins a tournament, gets each the headlines, but helium conscionable strolls successful similar thing has happened. He doesn’t get over-excited, helium astir deals with it similar MVG oregon Gary Anderson due to the fact that they’ve won loads.

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“We person practised unneurotic astatine times and he’s got each the quality to triumph immoderate helium wants successful the game.

“He’s got the satellite astatine his feet and present he’s conscionable got to enactment bare to support winning. That information volition beryllium the key, whether helium wants to woody with the changeless limelight.

“I had that aft I won the Worlds successful 2018, that twelvemonth was a blur with media. But Luke is dealing with it with specified ease, it’s scary really!

“It’s my occupation to bushed him. I’ve done it earlier and I’m assured my crippled is there. I privation much consistency but I cognize it’s coming.”