"If old Gary turns up, he might not get what he wants": Gary Anderson marvels at Luke Littler but issues warning ahead of first ever clash

Gary Anderson edged past Gian van Veen 16-14 on Saturday night to set up what will be the blockbuster semi-final of Sunday in the eyes of fans and also the broadcasters as he tussles with Luke Littler for a spot in the Grand Slam of Darts final.

Anderson has never won in Wolverhampton but has always called it a real missing piece to his jigsaw and one that he'd love to win. But he will have to deal with a Nuke who is catching fire and produced the biggest Quarter-Final win in Grand Slam history.

"I got to a stage, my throw until then was absolutely dreadful. It was bad. To start off the first leg with five does the confidence a world of good but no once I went in front, I thought keep holding your throw and you should be alright. When it went 14-13, I went you need to hold it or I'm up the climb without any paddles. Gian (van Veen) never played like he has done the last few days but like I say the way he's played it's hard to keep going, trust me," said Anderson post match.

But the Littler win also came a bit soon as both were on pretty quickly after. "I was sat on the chair with my feet up, head back and go you're on. I've been saying about Jermaine, he's been playing some good darts now. But he (Littler) was mustard, he was good."

He also issued a warning to Littler albeit one mixed with praise about his display. But a vintage Gary Anderson he said could see Littler not get what he wants. "If I get a leg tomorrow, I'll be doing alright. It could be bad. If old Gary turns up, he might not get what he wants. Santa doesn't always turn up you know. Let's give it a go. The amount 180's he had to his average, he should have 125+. So there's a slip inbetween so I need to pick up on where he's making his little mistakes which is not many."

It isn't a meeting though he says that he prepares any different for. "It's just another dart player. If I had played Gian, it was once and that was it. You watch him in telly and see the results and you're like you're up against it. There was absolutely some tripe in there tonight (Saturday) but also some good stuff and I needed it."

As ever Scotland Get Battered rang out as it always does as he said he was nonplussed about the potential of Luke Littler being the darling of the crowd. As well as praising the talents of others including one Wessel Nijman who he sees alongside Littler and Humphries.

"I've done it for a long time, do I give two flying (pause). I've heard the songs, I've seen the proof and they're singing the wrong song."

"We've got him, Jermaine (Wattimena), Mike (De Decker), Ryan (Searle), Ryan (Joyce), Connor (Scutt), Wessel (Nijman). Now he's the one to watch out for. He's on parallel with Luke (Littler). You've got Humphries, Littler, Wessel and I'll tell you this boy is going to be something else."

He also said not to count out Mickey Mansell or Martin Lukeman. Both are part of a perhaps unwanted match in comparison but he is delighted in particular to see Mansell get his rewards after being a familiar foe on tour.

"Martin's a lovely lad. Mickey I've known for. a long time and he's an absolute gem. To see Mickey come here through the qualifier and get to where he is. Hats off to him. If it was me and him in the final, what would you do then. We've got 105 years between us on stage. Don't write off Mickey Mansell, he can chuck a very good dart."