Michael van Gerwen brands Pero Ljubic “a pub player” following Poland Darts Masters clash

Michael van Gerwen has branded Pero Ljubic “a pub player” following their gruelling first round contest at the Poland Darts Masters on Friday.

Van Gerwen battled his way to a 6-4 victory over the world number 148 in a forgettable fixture which saw the Dutchman average just 84.7 to his opponent’s 82.7.

Ljubic has endured a torrid start to life as a PDC Tour Card holder since coming through Qualifying School in January, picking up just £3,250 in ranking prize money.

The Croatian, who featured in the recent World Cup of Darts and was handed a wildcard into the Poland Masters, took the first leg against Van Gerwen before opening the second with a treble 12.

From 2-1 down, MVG reeled off four legs on the spin to take command before fending off a late rally from Ljubic to seal a place in Saturday’s quarter-finals in Gliwice.

“It wasn’t a good game at all,” admitted Van Gerwen. “Pero needs to be happy that he won one leg. Pero is not a good player. Pero is a pub player – we all know that.

“I’m not harsh, he is a lovely man but when you throw treble 12 for treble 20 then you need to go back to the dartboard.

“Did you ever see me do that? I can only blame myself, I didn’t play well.

“I’m the one to blame. But I made Pero look good today. Pero won a few legs and it feels like his birthday.

“I was going to win anyway. You want honest answers, I give you honest answers. Tomorrow is a different story – I am up against the big boys.”

Ljubic was one of seven regional representatives to bow out at the first hurdle on Friday night, with only Krzysztof Ratajski keeping home hopes alive courtesy of his win over Jonny Clayton.

Van Gerwen was also critical of the standard of the East Europe representatives, adding: “I’m a bit disappointed with the qualifiers today to be fair if I am honest.

“If you see Pero and Kciuk, I know they can all play a lot better.

“They have Tour Cards and they disappointed me a little bit because if Pero was good he would have beaten me today because I was not playing well.

“They are still too quiet. They all have to visit Germany, Holland and England then they will see what a crowd really is. But when I play so bad there is nothing to cheer for.”

Former champion Van Gerwen will now face last year’s runner-up Rob Cross in the quarter-finals on Saturday night.