Michael van Gerwen calls opponent Pero Ljubic a 'pub player' in brutal post Poland Darts Masters assessment

Michael van Gerwen was not one for sentiment after he battled past Pero Ljubic 6-4 to begin his Poland Darts Masters campaign as the Green Machine called the Croat Tour Card holder 'a pub player'.

Van Gerwen who only returned last week to action after a stint away to sort out his divorce from his long-time wife was annoyed with his display as he was far from at his best.

Ljubic was at one point in the pound seats reeling off consecutive 15-darters to keep it tense at 5-4 but Van Gerwen hit double 10 to set up a tie with Rob Cross. But while he was giving in his mind in his display, he wasn't so accommodating in the post match statements.

“It wasn’t a good game at all. 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," he said as per Oche.

“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 — then I am up against the big boys.”

He also didn't hold back in his assessment of the crowd and the qualifiers saying they have a long way to go to be the same as Germany, Holland and England. The event since its inception has long sold out quickly with a real appetite for darts but MVG doesn't see it as being as good qualifier wise or in the atmosphere stakes.

“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.”