The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
SORRY SNODGRASS AFC WOMEN STEP UP
Robert Snodgrass feels he is constantly repeating himself about Scotland’s failings.
Snodgrass played in both the 4-0 defeats against Belgium and Russia, the latest coming on Thursday night when the national team fell apart in the second half.
It’s unthinkable for Scotland not to take all three points from tomorrow’s Hampden Park clash with San Marino, given their stated aim of building momentum for the Nations League play-offs.
But, quite simply, the mistakes of Thursday night and last month cannot keep happening.
Snodgrass said: “I find it hard to speak about it because it is the basics of the game which are killing us.
“That’s not really been the case for Scotland over the years.
“But set pieces were again a problem. You can’t teach mental strength, but it’s disappointing.
“Two 4-0 defeats. hard to talk about it.
“It seems as if I’m repeating myself every time I come back to Scotland camps. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, sit back and cry about it. We have to stay positive which is not easy after a result like that.
“We’re searching for that goal, that victory, to give us confidence but it’s hard. We need to find a formula.
“The good thing is we It’s have Sunday to make it right, but then we go away for a month and you return wondering again if we are going to be solid, are we going to get it right.”
Pride in the jersey is not an issue, according to the West Ham wide man, but answers have to be found to Scotland’s problems in the coming months.
The play-offs in March represent the country’s best chance of qualifying for a major tournament since Craig Brown took them to the 1998 World Cup.
Snodgrass said: “The manager has spoken about every game for your country and wanting to wear the jersey with pride every single time we turn up.
“That’s not the problem. That is the case. The lads love playing for Scotland.
“We turn up here for every camp and try to push to make things better.
“But we’ve all played enough games to know that the last half hour in Moscow is just not good enough.”