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His opening opponent on Thursday night is also a Premier League newcomer.<\/p>\n
Van Veen, 23, has had a breakthrough year, reaching the World Championship final in January after winning the European Championship in 2025, and is also a back-to-back World Youth Champion.<\/p>\n
However, Rock added that he has “not one bit” of sympathy for Van Veen if he experiences a hostile response in Belfast.<\/p>\n
“It happened to me when we played in Holland last year,” Rock said.<\/p>\n
“I would be surprised if he didn’t get booed, but I think he will get booed the whole game. Van Veen has coped with the crowds and I think he will be OK.<\/p>\n
“It will be very, very loud. We haven’t had a Northern Irish player since 2019 [Daryl Gurney] so hopefully it’ll all come good.”<\/p>\n
It has been an exciting start to the Premier League with three different winners so far.<\/p>\n
Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton have won the opening nights of the 16-week league phase before the play-offs at the O2 Arena on 28 May.<\/p>\n
“It is good to see different winners, but the Premier League is a lot different to majors,” he added.<\/p>\n
“The first major of the year Luke Littler won it, shock. Who was in the final? Luke Humphries.<\/p>\n
“When it comes to the ranking majors, it is hard to look past the two Lukes then everyone else when in the Premier League.”<\/p>\n
You can follow live text commentary from night four of the Premier League on Thursday on the BBC Sport website and app.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n