“When you’re struggling it hurts”: Cameron Menzies admits ‘Scotland gets battered’ chant got to him during defining win over Wade

Cameron Menzies is into his maiden TV Quarter-Final after a dramatic last leg decider win over James Wade as he prevailed through a 6-4 deficit to dump out the three-time finalist at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Menzies punished a poor start from Wade to lead 4-2. Only for Wade to come roaring back with three straight legs. However Menzies found his best form when it mattered as he hit double 20 in the decider to seal the win.

He fell to the floor and was full of apologies towards Wade after admitting he went perhaps a bit too far in his celebrations.

“I’ll apologise to James for falling to the floor. I don’t like that for myself, I feel kind of embarrassed with that. But it was just a relief because I have not been so nervous those last three darts. I was just playing each leg as it is and then I got in front. Then my heart was racing like,” said Menzies.

He also said that the whole Scotland Gets Battered chant which is a staple of a Scot in England got to him a little bit and said that when he’s struggling it hurts.

“I stayed on stage and I felt fine, it just wasn’t happening for me. Then I’ve just stayed on that stage practicing which I’ve never done before and I was hitting 140’s for fun. I was like just find that moment. I don’t think it was a great game, I think it was a bit of a slugfest. But I just stayed on that stage because it wasn’t happening for me. You got the usual Scotland gets battered (chant), I enjoy the craic but it does hurt a little bit especially when you’re not playing well. I’m human, I work in England but I get they pay their money to do this. When you’re struggling it hurts but to come through that I don’t know how to explain that.”

But it is all after Danny Noppert saved Menzies which he has hilariously put as his profile picture and he detailed the feeling of despair to elation.

“I didn’t believe I should be in, I thought I deserved to be out. I left here and I wasn’t in a good place. I was annoyed with myself, I got too emotionally involved. I think I need to look into a sports psychologist as my mindset isn’t stable. Got to do something to try something different. From being so annoyed to being ecstatic, it’s a weird feeling.”

But it is a mindset he needs to coach himself to get better in and he admitted afterwards that he takes inspiration from Luke Humphries in that endeavour.

“I need to learn to play nasty, I’m not performing great on the stage yet. My inspiration is Luke (Humphries) over the year because he is the man at the moment. He wasn’t great from the sport. I’m hoping I can build towards that.”

Whilst also not writing off Mickey Mansell who he believes contrary to Menzies likely being favourite is playing the best darts of the week.

“He’s exactly the same as me, we’ve punched above our weight. We’ve done better than I thought we would do. Thanks Danny (Noppert). I was lucky to get through but Mickey deserved it. I think he’s playing the best darts I’ve seen him play. Darts is a stupid old game, Everything is a free hit now.”

He also said that it is his biggest win but missing out on a vital facet. “Yes but I don’t think I’ve played well if that makes sense. I’ve scraped through. It’s arguably my biggest in terms of majors but performance wise, I don’t think it was my greatest.”

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