Littler suffers surprise first-round exit to Slevin
Luke Littler suffered a surprise early exit in the 11th Players Championship of the year with a 6-3 defeat by Dylan Slevin.World champion Littler averaged 90.11 compared to his opponent's 92.74 as he fell in the first round of the tournament in Leicester. Slevin, ranked 61st in the PDC order of merit, had raced into a 4-1 lead against the Warrington teenager at the Mattioli Arena.Littler rallied to win the next two legs to reduce the deficit, but 22-year-old Irishman Slevin twice nailed double top on pressure throws to seal victory. Former world champions Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price also fell at the first hurdle.
Van Gerwen lost a thriller 6-5 to fellow Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven while Welshman Price was beaten 6-4 by compatriot Rob Owen.World number one Luke Humphries exited the tournament in the second round after a 6-5 defeat by fellow Englishman Brett Claydon.There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition's finals held in Minehead in November.
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Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
Cameron Adam boosts Walker Cup hopes with dramatic St Andrews success
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Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Daily Record
Steve Clarke reacts to looming Scotland exit from his staff as he makes one thing crystal clear about Cieran Slicker
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Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Russell Martin says Rangers icon was one of his footballing heroes growing up and reveals traits his players MUST have
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEW Rangers manager Russell Martin has revealed that a massive Ibrox icon was one of his favourites growing up. The ex-Gers defender signed a three-year deal this week to take over in the dugout, with the red carpet rolled out for his first day in the building. 4 Russell Martin was unveiled as Rangers manager this week Credit: Willie Vass 4 He had a short spell playing at Ibrox Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow 4 He's revealed Paul Gascoigne was one of his footballing heroes Credit: Getty And now he's in the door supporters of the club are getting the chance to learn a bit more about him. Speaking to the club, the Englishman said that Paul Gascoigne was one of his footballing heroes. He said: "I know it will sound cliche but Gazza... I think all of us absolutely loved watching him. "When they were flying and he was flying during Euro '96, and what he was doing up here. "He was just an incredible player to watch." Martin was born in 1986 meaning Gascoigne was turning out for England from early childhood until he was around 12, with his Gers spell taking place in the last three of those years. The ex-Southampton gaffer was asked what three non-negotiable qualities are for players working under him ahead of his first season at the helm in Govan. He replied: "Courage. Intensity. And honesty. "I love watching a player or a group of players or a team start with something, an idea or way to improve, and seeing after the process what they're capable of achieving. "I absolutely love being able to watch and see something that I think is a problem for a player then help them find the solution, and then see them actually enjoying finding the solution. Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager "When they do, that moment when it clicks is just the best." He's already discussed wanting the best out of the current squad as well as hinting that he knows areas which will need improved in the transfer window. He also revealed that his earliest memory of the sport was in Scotland, despite being born in Brighton. He said: "At the Ayr Youth Cup watching my big brother play up here. I think I was three or four. "I bought a plastic ball, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ball, and it got stolen outside my room in Butlins or Haven, whichever one it was. "I was devestated, but I got bought a new one the next day. 4 Gazza starred at Euro '96 for England when Martin was young Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd "That's my earliest footballing memory. Just watching him play and playing on the side of the pitch." And having spoken openly about his managerial career being based on proving people wrong and never being first choice, he's said similar of his playing time too. When asked about the moment when he knew he'd made it, he responded: "Never. Even when I was playing my first game for Wycombe I was thinking 'I've played a professional game now, that'll be it, at least I've had one game'. "And I've never felt comfortable once throughout my career, so not at one point did I think I'd cracked it or I'd made it, and definitely before that I didn't think I could do it. "So I'm very grateful that I did!" He went on to make almost 600 club appearances, mostly for Wycombe and Norwich, and was capped 29 times for Scotland. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
