‘He can become a Ronnie O’Sullivan’ – Rob Cross urges Luke Littler NOT to change and maintain on-stage persona
ROB CROSS reckons Luke Littler should never stop being a wind-up merchant.
The 2018 world champion wants the teen sensation to continue his stage antics as he bids to retain the Premier League title on Thursday.
Littler, 18, did ‘yawn’ and ‘crybaby’ gestures to fans in Leeds after they were giving him stick and he constantly plays up to the crowds.
Cross said: “Luke gets a bit of a backlash sometimes from fans about his antics.
“But I think everyone should lay-off him and let him get on with it.
“I reckon he can become an Eric Bristow or Ronnie O’Sullivan character of the sport. He doesn’t take any nonsense and he loves the banter.
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“Just let him be himself. We need that sort of stuff in sport, it gets people wound-up and makes for better atmospheres.
“I love the fact he’s got a bit of a swagger about him. The boy isn’t arrogant, he just enjoys the fun of it all. He takes it all in his stride.
“People shouldn’t try to stop him. It gets people talking and it always makes me laugh to be honest.
“He’s quiet in the practice room. But put him on that stage and he comes alive.
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“He’s done amazing to deal with the media and spotlight over the past 18 months.”
Littler is favourite to retain his Premier League title on Thursday night at the O2 and faces Gerwyn Price in the first semi-final.
But Cross says it’s wrong to rule anyone out. He added: “I think the Premier League play-offs are hard to predict.
“All four players will fancy their chances. I believe every Premier League night is all about who turns up on that night.
“We know Littler can be unplayable when he’s in the mood. But so can Gezzy, Luke (Humphries) and Nathan (Aspinall).”
