Phil Taylor believes Luke Littler has the mental strength to handle the boos and whistles expected from hostile Premier League Darts crowds in Rotterdam — but he’s warned the teenager he might need “earplugs” to get through it.
“The Power” also urged “The Nuke” to stay off social media during what could be the toughest stretch of his young career.
Littler’s on-stage behaviour during his loss to Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 quickly went viral, and it appears to have shifted public opinion against him.
After that defeat, the 19-year-old took to Instagram and posted a screenshot of his Wikipedia page highlighting his trophy haul from just over two years on tour.
Although the two-time world champion later insisted he wasn’t trying to distract his Dutch opponent — saying he was simply gesturing toward his girlfriend Faith and her father in the crowd — the reaction didn’t die down.
A week later in Brighton, fans made their feelings clear with loud boos, and with his recent clash involving one of the Netherlands’ own, more of the same is expected when he steps onto the stage in Rotterdam on Thursday night.
His upcoming schedule won’t make things any easier either. Stops in Liverpool and Leeds follow — tricky territory for a devoted Manchester United supporter — before a visit to Aberdeen on April 30, where the reception may be just as unforgiving.
Taylor, now 65, experienced his fair share of hostile crowds and insists the only real answer is performance.
Speaking to SunSport, the 16-time world champion said Littler has what it takes to push through the negativity — but only if he delivers on stage.
“If he performs like he can, he’ll win them back,” Taylor explained.
He suggested Littler might even approach Rotterdam pragmatically, knowing qualification for the finals is already within reach thanks to his ability.
Still, Taylor expects plenty of stick in the coming weeks — from Liverpool to Scotland — joking that Littler should “get some earplugs.”
Despite the pressure, Taylor made it clear he believes in the teenager’s character and talent.
He also offered a key piece of advice: stay away from social media and avoid reacting to criticism.
“I’d say keep off it. Don’t post anything. Don’t rise to it — just leave it,” he said.
A six-time Premier League champion himself, Taylor knows exactly how intimidating crowds can be. He recalled one of the toughest moments of his career — facing Eric Bristow in a PDC World Championship semi-final — when nearly the entire crowd was against him.
“I felt like 899 people were booing me and only one was on my side,” he said.
For Taylor, dealing with hostility was simply part of the job — something every top player must learn to endure.
“You either use it to fire yourself up, or it gets the better of you,” he explained.
“The stage can be the greatest place in the world… but it can also be the loneliest and cruellest.”
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