Josh Rock warns Gerwyn Price he's in for taste of his own medicine in Blackpool – 'I'll be giving a bit back'
Northern Irish star set for a magical last-eight clash with Welsh ace and says it's not about revenge for WC pal
Motivated Josh Rock insists he’s ready to fight fire-with-fire against Gerwyn Price.
But the Northern Irish star has dismissed any notion of exacting revenge after the Welshman’s bust-up with his World Cup-winning partner Daryl Gurney.
Rock and Price will go head-to-head in a potentially-brilliant and loud quarter-final of the Betfred World Matchplay.
The 24-year-old overcame Michael van Gerwen in a sizzling last-16 tie with a win that proves he’s ready to go all the way in a Major.
However, Price has been sensational this week at the Winter Gardens and two emotional characters are set to produce fireworks.
Rock kept emotions in check for most of his win over MVG, but he said: “We’re both giving it large as anything, there’ll be a lot of giving it on stage.
“If anybody gives it large to me, I keep it in, because I know I can feed off that. But with Gerwyn, he knows I’m going to give it back, so it’s going to be hard to keep it in. It’s going to be a good match.
“Playing Gezzy, it’s not an easy way to try and win this title, but that’s the only way. I’m looking forward to it. And he’d be looking forward to it too, obviously, with the World Cup.”
Rock, of course, was referring to his success gained with Gurney over Price and colleague Jonny Clayton in last month’s World Cup Final.
Ironically, the pair meet after Price and Gurley had a bust-up at the end of their last 32 meeting on Monday night.
But Rock says that’s nothing to do with him or tonight’s encounter as he said: “Obviously what happened between Gezzy and Daryl, that’s between those two. Me and Gezzy’s not like that, so it’ll be a very interesting match. We’re all here to win a trophy, it doesn’t matter who you play.”
Rock has been tipped for the top for a long time and the win at the World Cup has hoisted his levels of expectation and belief.
Sinking MVG was another huge step as he said: “I can’t put into words how important that was and how good that was to be involved in that game. Obviously, it took a couple of years for me to arrive. Everybody knows what was going on behind the scenes.
“I got asked, if that was you last year, would you have won that? No, no chance. This year, because I’m more experienced, I know how to win. That’s why I’ve won. I think I proved that against MVG.
“When you’re playing one of the best players in the world, you can prove. I think I’m ready for it.
“I don’t know how many times he’s won the Matchplay and, obviously, they’re all there to be beat. But I believe in my own game and and that’s what I’ve done.
“I felt pressure up the stage, but I don’t feel pressure winning a major. When the time’s right, I’ll win a major and that’s why I believe in. MVG’s won his world titles, his Matchplays, his Premier Leagues when he was meant to. So when the time’s right, I’ll win my major.”