"I fancy a run here, I fancy taking Daryl": Soutar confident of World Darts Championship chances with Gurney next

Alan Soutar came into this year's PDC World Darts Championship as a player to watch for many but came through despite not producing his best to begin the showpiece at the Alexandra Palace.

Soutar breezed past Mal Cuming and the Scot put it down to the Oceanic Master not producing his best and dragging it down as a result.

"He didn't perform at all but that's a debut at Ally Pally, that's what it does to you. He wasn't comfortable up there, I actually said after the second break I said to him relax. But I want to play good darts and beat someone who's playing good darts back at you, it's kind of a hollow win but I'll take it don't get me wrong," said Soutar post match.

"I've had a plan to get the crowd on my side and it worked. What happened out there worked for me, the Scotland Get Battered thing was suppressed. It was coming from the back of the hall where they're not watching the darts. I managed to keep that calm."

Next up is Daryl Gurney who some see him as a favourite in but he isn't looking past 'Superchin'.

"He's a very good player, major winner and Premier League player. Form hasn't got a bearing on that stage, Daryl could turn up and be amazing so I need to be better tomorrow."

"I know I can beat these guys, I know I can beat Daryl. I need to be at my best to beat Daryl. I do like being under the radar and I think people appreciate the underdog route. I fancy a run here, I fancy taking Daryl."

This form comes after a run to the Quarter-Finals of the Grand Slam of Darts and he believes that proved to be ground-breaking for him.

"The group stages were great and you had more TV exposure, stage time and I think the more you play in those kind of things, you'll be a better player. Playing on the ProTour is great, but you need to bring a stage game and I think the Grand Slam did me a world of good."