West Ham United winger Robert Snodgrass has asked Scotland boss Alex McLeish not to consider him for international duty in order to focus on his club opportunities as he eyes .
The 30-year-old attacker was left out of McLeish’s squad for the upcoming international break as a result, meaning that he can continue to maintain the form that is earning him chances under Manuel Pellegrini at the London Stadium this season.
Snodgrass has started the previous two games under the Chilean, and this is an opportunity he is hoping to make the most of after being farmed out on loan last season.
The Scotland manager was quoted by Football London as saying: “Snoddy is back in the West Ham team, he is back in their plans. Let us see how the next month goes. I think you understand when there are personal reasons as well. I need everybody who is going to be involved in these games to have the right mentality.
“They have to be absolutely 100% wanting to play and ready to play for Scotland. We need that, but Snoddy isn’t far away. I said I would look at them in the next month. He has left the door open as well.
“I had a chat with Snoddy and he wanted to wait and see before he really committed himself to come back in.”
OPINION
Snodgrass has been given a second chance at West Ham this season, so it comes to no surprise that he does not want to be distracted by international duty at the moment. He needs to take opportunities when they are presented to him, and after being started in the last two matches, that seems to be the case right now. Pellegrini looks to be an admirer of his ability, despite the fact that he looked like one of the most likely players to depart the club in this summer’s transfer window. Being farmed out to the Championship has obviously done him some good, as it has given him the kick he needs to improve his form and show he is capable of playing for West Ham on a regular basis. Scotland will miss him in their upcoming fixtures, but Hammers’ fans will like to see a player so committed to the cause.
