Awesome Alan Soutar got the seal of approval from Scotland football captain Andy Robertson as he continues his dream run at the William Hill World Championships.

The Arbroath fireman produced another red-hot show at the Ally Pally to send World No.7 Jose De Sousa spinning out and go hurtling into the last 16.

Super Soutar produced a gutsy 90-minute performance to stick with the Portuguese star before a spectacular 136 finish sealed a magnificent win.

The Tartan-clad 43-year-old was immediately swamped by messages of congratulations after setting up a clash with Geordie Callan Rydz.

His high-flying hometown football team were in touch as was the country’s international skipper and Liverpool star.

Soutar said: “ Scotland captain Andy Robertson has just tweeted me. The hysteria behind all that is just incredible.

“It’s amazing to feel the backing from my home town. My football club are all sending me messages of good luck, congratulations and keep it going. The Arbroath spirit.

“The backing on social media from Scotland is incredible. I’m on my own on that stage in a cauldron of English fans. It’s a daunting place to be.

“But when you can go home from a win and go on social media and look at all the nice comments, it’s really pleasing.

“When you go up there you have got to be focused. If you start thinking about interviews and your home town, that’s when the wheels fall off.”

Soutar’s performance was even more remarkable given he completed two night shifts at the Dundee Kingsway East Fire Station on Christmas Eve and Christmas Night before returning to London to build on his superb triumph over Mensur Suljovic in round two.

Soutar said: “I’ve been at work for the last two days. It’s worked so far.

“When I was at 3-3 in sets, I thought I’ve got to swap [shifts] anyway on the 31st, so I might as well win and swap tomorrow [Thursday]. It’s cool, the swaps are covered until the 1st of January.

“My job is a firefighter, I’ll be a firefighter for the future. I’ve done 17 years, I want to get to my 20-year point and then I’ll see what I’m like at darts. I can’t give up my job to play darts.

“The finances and the other stuff are great. I’m just taking it bit by bit. That’s not a decision I need to think of right away.

“After the 20th year in the fire brigade you get a long service conduct medal. To get my medal from The Queen to say thank you is a big thing for me. I’d like to put that medal on my chest in three years time.”

Incredibly, Soutar missed 45 darts at double during the game and survived a match dart from De Sousa before securing victory.

He said: “It’s so much harder to watch. I’m a dart player. I’m doing my thing, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t go for you.

“But I know from my wife Amanda what she goes through watching me is horrendous. We practice for darts. They are sitting in the house watching and can’t change what happens.

“That’s darts, you miss doubles, everyone misses doubles. If you get a chance you’ve got to try and take it.

“I’m not trying to make it dramatic, I’m actually trying to win 4-0. But it’s impossible to play your best darts up there.

“It’s so hard for a new player to take all that in and deal with the crowd and the TV. It’s just a tough place to play darts.

“If my best game can come out there I can go further of course. I don’t fear any of the top players. They’ve got to beat me. End of the story.

“It is a fairytale. I think someone is looking down on me, especially when they miss match darts. I think maybe it’s just my time.”