Michael van Gerwen claims his rivals are ‘all poo pants’ ahead of Stephen Bunting clash

Michael van Gerwen described his darting counterparts as “poo pants” after he scored a round three win at the World Darts Championship.

The three-time world champion brushed off fellow Dutchman Richard Veenstra with a straight sets victory on Wednesday evening to confirm his place in the last 16 of the tournament.

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He will face the in-form Stephen Bunting at that juncture after the Liverpudlian saw off Florian Hempel in his third round tie on Thursday afternoon.

Michael van Gerwen. Pic: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Having defeated Ryan Joyce prior to the Christmas break, Bunting was quizzed on whether his impressive form made him one of the contenders for the tournament alongside Van Gerwen as well as the likes of Luke Humphries and 16-year-old sensation Luke Littler.

Bunting, however, was dismissive in his response and insisted he preferred to forge ahead unnoticed.

‘I hope they think I’m gonna get beaten in the next round and they don’t talk about me,’ he said. ‘I like to come in under the radar and there’s less pressure on me when that happens. ‘

Three-time World Darts Championship winner Michael van Gerwen will face Stephen Bunting in the last 16 of this year’s tournament. Pic: Alex Burstow/Getty Images

‘When the tournament started I was 10th favourite – I’m obviously doing something right.’

Van Gerwen was asked in turn about players wanting to progress through the rounds away from the glare of the spotlight, and whether it was something which was down to the mentality of each.

The 34-year-old had an amusing response to the question.

He said: ‘[It’s] because they are all poo pants.

‘If they want to go under the radar, that’s [raspberry noise].’