Murray wants to challenge Van Gerwen: 'He could be there for the taking'

Ryan Murray dug deep to beat Lourence Ilagan 3-1 in his opening game at the World Championships, his first time appearing at the Alexandra Palace to compete in the biggest competition of them all.

After admitting a showdown with Michael van Gerwen ‘would be nice’ in the build-up to his round one game, he got what he wished for and will go head to head with the Dutchman on Saturday.

The 33-year-old from Edinburgh earned the right to face the ‘Green Machine’ and Murray knows how special Van Gerwen is, having witnessed him produce two nine-dart finishes in a previous meeting three years ago.

He said: “I think I’ve got to play better than I have done today, against him (Van Gerwen). Saturday is a different day and now that I’ve been on the stage and seen what it’s like, hopefully the nerves will settle abit better so I can give Michael a challenge.

“I think he could be there for the taking. He’s had a dip in form this year but even the games he’s losing, he’s playing very well- but that’s not what the headlines will tell you. I think there has always been something in the mist between me and Michael.”

'Muzz Lightyear' - as he is known - would love to follow in the footsteps of his World Championship-winning fellow countrymen, Peter Wright and Gary Anderson.

"I would definitely like to be world champion, wouldn't we all," he said. "This year was about learning the game, trying to get to the Worlds. We have done that so stage one is complete. Stage two would be to go as far as we can.

"Next year has to be a big push to keep my card, if it is a slow progression, then it is. If it goes well and I get up there really quickly, then I hope to stay up there.

"I don't see why anybody can't be as big as anybody they want to be, so we just need to keep playing darts and trying to win as many games as we can and work our way up the ladder."

Just 12 months ago, Murray was fighting it out in Wigan for a spot on the tour in Q-school. After finally achieving that spot, his journey since has been nothing short of miraculous. Now winning darts games on the biggest stage of them all- Murray reflected on his journey.

“I think I did enough to get the spot on the tour card but seeing the Alexandra Palace for the first time was quite unbelievable. We got a few quick photos at the start and it hits you. Even though I’ve qualified and earned the right to be here, it really feels quite incredible to finally get here and realise that I’m going to play here for the first ever time.”