"He thinks that he can go and win the tournament and I totally agree": Phil Taylor backs Luke Littler for Ally Pally shock triumph

Phil Taylor sent messages of congratulations to Luke Littler after his sensational opening triumph at the PDC World Darts Championship and is fully of the belief that the 16-year-old prodigy can go on and win the title.

Littler returns on Thursday evening after downing Christian Kist with Andrew Gilding next in his sights and while Littler has the belief to match his talents, 'The Power' believes it is very much warranted and called him 'absolutely brilliant'.

“He was brilliant. And I love it,” Taylor said to GB News.  “I mean, the crowd were right with him, weren’t they saying ‘you’ve got school in the morning’!

“It was brilliant. He’s 16 years old and he’s got a chance here to make himself £500,000. I think he’s absolutely brilliant. I can see he’s dedicated. And I can also see he’s got that look in his eye that he wants to win, which is the two things that you definitely need.

“Obviously, you’ve gotta be dedicated. And secondly, you’ve got to know in your mind that you can actually go and win the tournament. And I honestly believe he thinks that he can go and win the tournament and I totally agree with him.”