"He's still one of the best three players in the world. Taylor will walk away from the game as one of the best in the game"
Tuesday 19 September 2017 17:37, UK
"Phil Taylor will be missed, but he won't be missed" - Rod Harrington says the World Grand Prix in Dublin will still be special even without the 11-time winner.
The 57-year-old last won the famous tournament, which is unique for its double in, double out format, in 2013.
The annual 32-player tournament at Dublin's Citywest Hotel won't be seeing 'The Power' grace the stage for one final time as he continues to wind down his career before retiring in January.
Taylor's absence has opened the door for a whole host of stars, including world No 1 Michael van Gerwen, when it gets underway on Sunday, October 1, live on Sky Sports.
The people that said 'I don't want to see the back of him, I'd rather play him' are talking a load of rubbish
"Phil Taylor not in a tournament is always going to be a massive blow," said Harrington. However, the tournament will still go on, we still have great viewing figures, they still have great crowds. He will be missed, but he won't be missed, if you see my meaning.
"Taylor will be missed for several years. What he has done in the game, winning-wise, will never be replicated. He had to retire sooner or later - he's been on the road for 30 years now. I don't blame him. I just hope that when he retires he actually starts to enjoy himself instead of working his you know what off."
Harrington, who was runner-up to Taylor in the very first World Grand Prix in 1998, believes the Stoke-on-Trent legend is still one of the very best players in the game, with his 17th title at the World Matchplay in Blackpool testament to that.
"He's still one of the best three players in the world. Taylor will walk away from the game as one of the best in the game," said 'The Prince of Style'.
"A lot of people that retire are either injured or they have lost their form and so they have to get out, but Phil Taylor doesn't have to get out. He can still stay there, win tournaments, and win money. But he kind of thinks 'I've been on the road long enough' and it's time for him to move on and start to enjoy his life.
"There will also be a few players who will be pleased to see the back of him as well - that's obvious. The people that said 'I don't want to see the back of him, I'd rather play him' are talking a load of rubbish.
"When Phil Taylor goes out of a tournament people are going, 'blimey, that's handy. That's one less great player I've got to beat'. Some people are saying 'when I win a tournament I want to beat the best' - don't be stupid. There's no room for sentiment in a trophy.
"I can assure you that Taylor is definitely retiring next year because he's already booked in a lot of exhibitions. Whether he tries to maybe make a comeback in a few years - I don't know. Maybe he will, but as I said I'd rather see Phil retire gracefully and enjoy his life."
Rod Harrington was speaking to Sky Sports' Raz Mirza. The biggest names in darts will return to Dublin's Citywest Hotel from October 1-7 for the 2017 World Grand Prix and you will be able to watch all the action with us on Sky Sports
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