Stephen Bunting admits former Rangers hero Steven Gerrard left him a bag of nerves at the Bahrain DartsMasters.
The Bullet made his way into the quarter-finals of the competition with a victory over India’s Nitin Kumar. But Bunting was on edge through the game thinking Gerrard was in the crowd. The massive Liverpool fan had been informed the Anfield icon, who is currently boss at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, was due to join the galleries in the crowd for the evening. However, although it didn’t materialise in the end with Gerrard not making it, Bunting wasn’t made aware of that fact until after his game was done.
He smiled: “It was a bit nervy, to be honest. People were talking that Steven Gerrard was here, so I was even more nervous. Obviously, to play in front of one of the legends of Liverpool would have been great, but I don’t think he’s here. So, thanks for telling me after I’ve come off!”
Kumar’s big effort belied the 6-2 scoreline and Bunting added: “I think that made me more nervous, to be honest. I could have had an easier draw, but I know Nitin quite well. He’s a fantastic player and India’s No.1. You don’t become India’s No.1 just by luck, so I knew I had a difficult game. I was ready for it and thankfully, I got over the line.
“All the confidence that comes with being in these World Series events, being back in the Premier League, being World No.5, I’m riding the crest of a wave at the minute and I feel like I’m playing the best darts of my life. So I just need to keep doing what I’m doing, keep trying to improve and looking forward to the rest of the season, to be honest.”