EXCLUSIVE: John Henderson gears up for Premier League cameo: "I'm sure there will be goosebumps"

The Highlander has been picked replacing Gary Anderson. Henderson, who hails from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, will be featuring in Aberdeen. He is sure to have the crowd on his side in a clash with world champion Michael van Gerwen. A Premier League bow is something the popular Scot is looking forward to, even if it was a complete surprise to him. "Getting the call to replace Gary was very surprising. I never saw that coming!" Henderson told in an exclusive interview. "But I'm very excited at the same time. "I've been to many Premier Leagues in Aberdeen, and the atmosphere is absolutely brilliant. "So to play Michael on that stage on home soil will be tremendous. I'll be nervous, no doubt, but I'm so looking forward to it."

Henderson is no stranger to the big stage. He famously beat van Gerwen en route to the semi-finals of the 2017 World Grand Prix. The highlight of seven World Championship visits was a win over Daryl Gurney in front of a packed Ally Pally. This, in terms of the atmosphere, may top even that.
"I believe it (Aberdeen's BHGE Arena) holds 10,000 people. This will be the biggest I've played in - probably the Ally Pally would be the biggest crowd I've played in front of so far.
"Playing in front of your home crowd will be very nervy, so I'm sure there will be goosebumps along the way - especially the walk-on there will be very noisy."

Henderson reached the third round of the World Championship for the second time on the spin back in December. Since then, the world number 20 has cashed at all four Players Championship events so far this season, reaching two quarter-finals. However it's the local link rather than recent performances which Henderson feels earned him his Premier League cameo. That's a perception which could change if he kicks on this year. "I'm not sure if I got the nod because I'm 20th, probably because I'm from the Aberdeen area," Henderson admitted. "It's just an honour to take the place of a Scotland legend, and a very close friend in Gary Anderson. "It's always good to do well at the Worlds. It tops off a good year and sets you up for the coming season. "I'm looking forward to getting going and hopefully continuing the good form," he added.