Josh Rock has defiantly stated he will not change his Rangers-themed walk-on music when Premier League Darts arrives in Glasgow this week, despite the potential for a hostile reception from Celtic supporters. The Northern Irishman, an avowed Rangers fan, enters to 'Welcome to the Party' by DJ Krissy – a track closely associated with the club's title-winning 2020/21 season. "I have no plans to change my walk-on... I'm not going to change it because my kids love my walk-on song," Rock declared.
Rock acknowledged the unique atmosphere, joking, "Luckily, Celtic are playing in the Europa League [on Thursday] so hopefully they [Celtic fans] are all out of there and it will all be Rangers fans [in the arena]." With no Scottish players in this year's Premier League, he was asked if his Rangers ties might earn him extra local backing at the OVO Hydro. "I hope so," he said. "It's been two or three years since the last Scottish player took part in the Premier League. I'm close to Scotland, it's literally a two-hour boat or a short flight over the water. I would love it [to have a big Scottish support] to happen, but I don't know what to expect from the crowd."
The walk-on song has been a previous point of discussion. At last year's World Matchplay, Rock wanted to switch tracks but was ultimately not allowed. "I didn't change my mind, I just wasn't allowed in the end," he commented after his opening round win against Ross Smith. "But I'm not going to go on about it."
On the oche, Rock's debut Premier League campaign has started slowly. He is still chasing his first win of the season, having lost 6-2 to Jonny Clayton in Newcastle and by the same scoreline to Michael van Gerwen in Antwerp in the quarterfinals on the first two nights. In total, he has taken just four legs across those two matches. On Match Night 3 in Glasgow, he faces another stern test in the opening round against former world champion Luke Humphries, who has won their last three meetings. However, Rock can draw confidence from an earlier spell between 2022 and 2024 when he beat Humphries three times in a row.
Thursday brings another chance for Rock to get his first points of the season on the board. One thing is certain: his walk-on song won't be changing.
