Rangers mad Aussie darts star reveals Ibrox obsession and the anthem he walks out to
Rangers-mad Brandon Weening was left feeling blue after being frozen-out by Mike De Decker.
But the Australian darts star is hoping a trip across the globe to see an Old Firm game against Celtic could help make up for his loss.
Weening has become a massive supporter of Rangers through a Scots pal and walked into the arena to the tune of Penny Arcade, a well-known song heard at Ibrox.
The Python was choked by the Belgian ace as he lost the first-round game 6-2, but the Geelong star still enjoyed his experience facing one of the PDC elite in his own backyard before he explained the roots of his Rangers affection after the match.
Weening revealed: 'I'm a big gamer. I met a guy from Scotland and we became really good friends. He got me to watch a Rangers game with him once and I just got the Rangers bug. It was back during lockdown. That's how I became a Rangers guy and I'm loving it. I fix my sleep schedule and I'm normally waking up at about 3am to watch them now. It depends on what time they start.
'I would love to watch an Old Firm there regardless of the result. 100 per cent. Obviously, I would want to see Rangers win, but regardless of the result, I would love to go to Ibrox and watch an Old Firm or any match.'
Weening confirmed his walk-on was inspired by the tune ringing out at Ibrox as he added: '100 per cent. I know Roy Orbison did a version of it. I don't like that version. Then I heard the Sammy King version of it and loved it.'
In the end, De Decker managed to get the job done despite suffering from cold hands on the stage in Wollongong. He said: 'It's been fun coming to Australia. It was less fun being on stage because it's a bit colder. I was blowing my hands the whole game. When my hands are cold, I don't have any grip on the darts. so normally my darts stick up to upright and now they were going a bit flat. It just doesn't feel well.
'That's why I was blowing the whole game as well, trying to get them warm, but it wasn't really working. I'll probably wash my hands with really hot water before I have to next go on stage. Maybe that helps. It's not really cold outside. In Australia they call it winter, but it's still 20 degrees. So it's not that it's winter.'
De Decker is delighted to be part of the World Series having turned down an earlier invitation to play in Holland and also being outspoken over his Premier League omission. He admitted some pressure as he said: 'Yeah, a little bit. As well with all the interviews I did after the line-up of the Premier League and declining the one in Holland. I didn't expect getting a call-up for this and for New Zealand, so it was a nice surprise.
'It's nice to get the recognition of what you did as well. If I didn't win the Grand Prix last year, I wouldn't be in these events.'
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