Robert Snodgrass aims to catch Levein’s eye

Jan 7 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ROBERT SNODGRASS placed the ball down on the Old Trafford turf 22 yards from Tomasz Kuszczak’s goal.

The eyes of the world were trained in on the ex-Livingston winger as he ambled up to the ball and curled it left footed over the wall.

And thousands of Man United fans’ hearts were in their mouths as the ball smacked off the angle of post and crossbar.

Snoddy has come a long way since bursting onto the Livingston first-team scene at the age of 17.

Since flying south the 22-year-old has lit up Elland Road with electrifying displays on the flank which have already seen him linked with moves to the English Premier League with Everton and Gordon Strachan’s Championship side Middlesbrough.

Snoddy has left an indelible boot print at Elland Road where he has achieved cult status thanks to his swashbuckling style.

He narrowly missed out to Jermaine Beckford in the Fans Player of the Year award but he topped the assists list in the entire division with 16, despite only playing regular first-team football for half of the 2008-09 season.

He also weighed in with 11 goals, prompting the club to hand him a new four-year deal last July.

This season, he has picked up where he left off, making and scoring goals, including a double against Watford in the Carling Cup second round, followed by a dramatic injury -time winner over promotion rivals MK Dons.

And in the cup, he has also sparkled as he tied Italian international Andrea Dossena in knots during an Carling Cup tie at Anfield against Liverpool.

However, Sunday may prove to be the biggest match he has played in during his short career so far, after he played his part as Leeds stunned the football world by dumping Manchester United out of the FA Cup in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford.

A United side packed with household names including Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Ryan Giggs and Anderson were sent tumbling out but it was a bittersweet afternoon for Snoddy, who was forced to start on the bench after being injured in training just two days before the biggest game in his career.

He said: “It was a massive result for the club and the supporters – it was a great day.

“There is such a huge rivalry between the teams and to beat them at their own ground was an amazing result.

“Personally, it was a bit disappointing for myself as I pulled up in training on Friday with a wee injury and the manager told me I’d be on the bench for the game as he didn’t want to risk me.

“I did come on for the last 15 minutes though and I was delighted to be involved.

“I thought I’d scored with my free-kick. I thought was in when it left my foot but it wasn’t to be.”

“Now though we’ve got to look ahead to the next round and the trip to Tottenham. Hopefully, I will be fit and in the first XI for that. After knocking out Man Utd, there is no need to fear anyone.

“Football is a funny game. In the previous round we really struggled to beat Kettering Town over two games, drawing the first match and then needing extra-time in the replay, but then we go to Old Trafford and beat one of the best teams in the world.

“To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet but it is a great result and, hopefully, one which can help us in the league.

“We are taking each game as it comes and we’ll do our best to keep in the right frame of mind in the promotion battle. We won’t get too carried away and there is still a long way to go.”

Injury robbed Snoddy of his place in the starting XI at Old Trafford and his bad luck in the run-up to big games stretches back to October, when he was forced to pull out of Scotland’s friendly with Japan in Yokohama after damaging his knee.

The Leeds star was bursting with pride as he watched best friend and fellow ex-Lion Graham Dorrans – now at West Brom – run out for his full Scotland bow in Yokohama in October.

But he readily admits he was gutted after injury robbed him of the chance to line up alongside him and make their international debuts together.

However, Snoddy believes that if he can keep his sparkling form up then another chance to make his full Scotland debut under new national boss Craig Levein is just around the corner.

“Hopefully the new manager is keeping an eye on me and I’d love to get the chance to play for Scotland, said Snoddy. “Firstly, I need to be playing well and regularly for Leeds but if the chance comes up, I’ll be delighted.

“I was absolutely gutted at having to pull out of the Scotland squad for the trip to Japan earlier this season but missing games through injury is part and parcel of football.

“It is just one of those things you have to deal with unfortunately and it is something you can’t afford to let affect your game at club level when you are flying high.

“Maybe I’ll get another chance of a call-up if I can keep playing well.

“I speak to Graham on the phone regularly and it is good to see him doing so well. Both of us have adapted well since moving and the style of football down here seems to suit us.”

The much heralded Livi youth set-up has produced a steady conveyer belt of high-class youngsters, with Dorrans and Snodgrass just two of a host of hit-kids tipped for Scotland honours.

Teenager Leigh Griffiths left the West Lothian club at the start of the season for a six-figure sum and has already been amongst the goals for Dundee.

His sparkling form earned him a call-up to the Scotland B squad, where he marked his debut with a goal in the 3-0 win over Northern Ireland B.

Former Livi skipper James McPake has been tipped for a bright future at Championship club Coventry by boss Chris Coleman.

And midfield warrior Murray Davidson, another summer departure from Almondvale, has become a key player for St Johnstone in the SPL with a series of man-of-the-match displays catching the eye.

The success of graduates of the Livingston youth team doesn’t escape Snodgrass, who agrees the club provided him with the perfect football education.

He continued: “Keaghan Jacobs, Andy Halliday, David Sinclair and Cammy MacDonald are all good young players who could do well anywhere – Liam Fox could also play at the highest level.

“Foxy knows what it takes and he has an unbelievable attitude to the game.

“I still have a few friends up at Livingston and it was disappointing to see how the start of the season turned out for them. Almondvale is where I started off my trade and I always look out for Livi’s results on a Saturday and I wish them all the best for the future.

“It was sad to see them relegated to the Third Division like that but they’ve been handed a fresh start now and hopefully they can grab this chance and move up the leagues again quickly.

“They have good players and fighters in the side and I’ve every confidence they’ll move up the leagues again and I wish them all the best.

“When my own deal expired I was always going to move on. Football is all about sacrifice and you have do what is best for you and I’m lucky my move has worked out well for me.”