‘He’s an odd character,’ says Nathan Aspinall as he prepares to face darts star who squared up to Luke Littler

NATHAN ASPINALL has vowed to put on a show as he takes on Ricardo Pietreczko at Ally Pally.

The German No.3, stands in Aspinall’s way from a spot in the World Championship quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.

Rex

Nathan Aspinall is gearing up for a last-16 showdown with Ricardo Pietreczko[/caption]

PA

The German has previously had beef with Luke Littler[/caption]

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Berlin-born Pikachu, 30, is not afraid of confrontation and aggressively squared up to teenager Luke Littler at the Belgian Darts Open in March.

He later said on social media: “I hope his arrogance punishes him.”

Aspinall, the No.12 seed, said: “Ricardo is a great darts player but he’s an odd character. That’s all I can say.

“He keeps himself to himself. Brings his partner everywhere. I don’t speak to him. I don’t know much about his life.

“I don’t care what he’s like as a person. I’m going up there to smash him on the dartboard. If I produce what I can do, he doesn’t stand a chance.

“It might be 60-40 English to German there. In that venue on Monday, it will be electric. I know I will go up there and beat him.”

Aspinall is currently the beard to be feared – but his new facial hair stays until he lifts silverware.

Much to the annoyance of fiancée Kirsty who wants him clean-shaven, the Asp, 33, has decided to grow a beard for the first time in a TV tournament.

And the razors will remain in the bedroom cabinet until he is a major winner once again.

Aspinall – a former US Open and World Matchplay champion – said: “I did it two years ago and someone from the PDC told me to get rid of it.

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“I have told Kirsty I’m keeping it until I win a major. I won’t grow it, I’ll look like Santa Claus.

“This one was before the Players Championship in Minehead. I always do it in wintertime. I don’t know why, I have an epiphany and just do it.

“I have kept it and the old Turkish barber keeps it in shape for me.

About a week ago, I said to Kirsty: ‘I have decided I am keeping it until I win.’

“She is raging about it, saying: ‘You’ll be 45 years of age and have that on your face.’”

PDC

Pietreczko appeared to square up to Littler during the Belgian Darts Open[/caption]

Stockport-born Aspinall has spoken regularly with a sports psychologist and hypnotherapist and these mind gurus are helping him.

The two-time world championship semi-finalist said: “We made a conscious effort to get that fire back in the belly.

“Try to get that ‘Nathan roar’ back, which I have not had for 18 months. I feel good now.

“Mentally this is the best I have been since I picked up a dart 10 years ago. I’m waiting to explode. Waiting for it all to click.”