Snodgrass can’t escape England hype
SCOTLAND versus England is still almost a month away, but there is no escaping the references to the Three Lions and “1966 and all that” for Robert Snodgrass.
Not when you play for West Ham United, the club of Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters, the triumvirate who were so pivotal in England’s World Cup success more than 50 years ago. Moore, captain that day, has a stand named after him in West Ham’s new London Stadium, while pictures of the trio adorn the walls inside the many hospitality suites. Snodgrass, who moved to West Ham for £10 million in January, has not been oblivious to his new surrounds ahead of the big game at Hampden on June 10.
“There are lots of pictures of the West Ham guys who have done so well with England around the new stadium,” he said after being named winner of the William Hill International Player of the
Year as voted for by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association. “You can tell there’s that connection with England.
“The West Ham pics are in the reception and changing rooms, but the England photos are up in and around the function rooms.
“It’s funny because the players’ liaison guy at West Ham, a guy called Tim De’Ath, used to be the chef here. He’s also still the chef for England and we’ve been having banter about the game.
“It’s been good craic because he’s such a good guy. He’s been massive for me along the way, helping me settle in. I’ve already thanked him a lot of times for all the help he’s given me. But I’ve also told him I want to beat him on June 10. I think all of them will be cheering for England, but it’ll be massive for us if we get that result. If we beat them, I’ll be absolutely abusing him afterwards. If we get beat, I’ll be keeping my head down and going on holiday!”
Scotland’s slender World Cup qualifying hopes were given a boost by the last-gasp victory over Slovenia in March but the looming derby with England also falls into the must-win category.
“It’s massive,” admitted Snodgrass. “I don’t think you’ll get a bigger game in a Scotland jersey than this one. It’s huge. It’s one we’ve all been looking forward to. Wembley is out of the way and that horrible taste in the mouth [after the 3-0 defeat in November]. If we’d taken our chances we’d have probably won that game. To now have them in our own back yard with a packed house will be huge. We’re looking forward to it.”
Snodgrass still has two domestic commitments to take care of first, with West Ham rounding off their mid-table Premier League campaign against Liverpool today and Burnley next Sunday.
It has not been the easiest of assimilation periods for the 29-year-old who has been played largely out of position on the left of midfield. The expectation to replace the outgoing Dimitri Payet has also brought another, perhaps unfair, burden. The player, though, remains optimistic. “The football side in terms of scoring and creating goals hasn’t really been at the level I’ve had at the past,” he admitted. “But other teams have played me in right midfield which has allowed me to cut inside or in behind the striker. “The manager has put me out left and I’ve got every faith in what he’s doing. I’ve settled really well with the boys. It’s one of the best squads I’ve been in. But on the football side it’s taken a bit longer to get going. “I’ve had a couple of chats [with the manager, Slaven Bilic]. I’m a realist, I understand football. I want to create the same feeling I’ve had at every other club. I want the fans to see I mean business. I just need a chance.”