"My pockets get full every time he gets mentioned" - Michael Smith has no problem with big attention for Luke Littler

Michael Smith secured the last golden ticket for participation in the playoffs of the Premier League Darts on Thursday night. In a straight battle he with his great rival Nathan Aspinall.

The former world champion then appeared to be relieved of the enormous pressure and managed to take the weekly title in Sheffield by also beating Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. It was his second weekly title of the competition for 'Bullyboy', having also won the first night in Cardiff at the beginning of February.

As number four in the final rankings, Smith will play against Littler in the semifinals on Thursday, May 23, at the playoffs. The darter from St. Helens is hopeful about his chances against the 17-year-old teenage sensation, who handsomely ended his debut year in the Premier League as number one.

'It’d be nice if we played in London tonight, wouldn’t it. I’d love to say it’s going to happen next week, but next week’s a different day. We’ve got six and a half days, but it’s all about rest for me now. Everyone’s got their own thing to do, it’s a different day. We’re all going to be at 100%. I know I’ve got a good record against Luke, but it doesn’t matter now.''

''I don’t have nothing over him apart from one thing. I have a World Championship, he doesn’t. He’s probably got better ability than me. I’ve got a better throw, but everything else he’s probably better like his mental side. He’s also such a nice kid, he is amazing. He’s pushing the PDC even further." Smith told to Sportsboom.com.

Smith has no problem with the fact that Littler has been in the spotlight tremendously since his emergence. '''There’s a few that are getting upset with him, but listen, my pockets get full every time he gets mentioned, so it’s in our best interests that we look after him.''