Luke Humphries gives verdict on Luke Littler boos as Nuke ready to rain on rival's parade

is ready to rain on the parade of world No. 1 in Leeds on Thursday night and isn't fazed by a potential barrage of boos in the Premier League. Humphries reckons the reason that the teenager is being jeered around the country and Europe is because he's no longer the underdog. Despite a hostile reception in Liverpool due to his support for Manchester United, Luke The Nuke is unfazed as he heads into his Premier League clash with Aspinall at the First Direct Arena.

He boasts a comfortable lead atop the table having already secured a spot in the play-off finals at the O2 on May 29. The Yorkshire crowd might back their own Leeds United fan Humphries, but Littler has no concerns about returning fire if provoked, declaring he'll "give it back to them" and use any negativity as motivation.

Amidst Leeds' celebrations after their Championship title parade, Humphries will aim to triumph over rival Michael van Gerwen. Meanwhile, an unruffled Littler, 18, said: "It depends on how the fans react. I don't want to say I have secured top spot yet.

"Like in Newcastle and Liverpool, I will always give it back to them, but I will just relax these next few weeks. I don't have to perform to any high standard, I'm just going to cruise my way into the O2.

"It's very different this time, being the world champion, there is always a target on my back, especially from last year. But I know myself I have got to perform.

"The money is there to be won, the nightly wins are there to be won as well and I want to become a multiple Premier League champion."

Humphries advised Littler that he'll need to "take it on the chin" if faced with jeers from a rowdy crowd again, suggesting that scrutiny follows success. The reigning 2024 world champion, still seeking his first Premier League nightly triumph since Exeter on February 27, said: "In a way I'm surprised because he's done nothing wrong.

"But on the other hand I'm not surprised because everybody wants to knock someone down that's doing well.

"That's what happens in life - I really never had anything like that until I become world champion and world No.1, then all of a sudden you're getting it all the time. It's like nobody wants to see you succeed, and if you do, then people want to boo you.

"I think the reason why it's been happening to Luke is because he's not the underdog anymore. When you're at the top everyone wants to see you lose.

"Luke just has to take on the chin and accept that this is what happens when you get to the top - it's happened to me and it's happened to Gezzy (Price) when he was at the top."

Humphries couldn't contain his excitement over Leeds' climactic finish to the Championship season, witnessing the Whites snatch the title with a last-minute goal.

He admitted: "I was jumping around my hotel room in Germany when that goal went in and I do feel like the whole city is in a buzz at the moment.

"There's still a great party atmosphere after the parade on Monday, and hopefully I can tap into that and play well.

"I've got as great record against Michael and he's under a lot of pressure to make the top four - the only pressure on my shoulders is to perform well in front of a Leeds crowd and I want to give them something to cheer about."