West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass is hopeful Scotland will “play at a major tournament again soon” after announcing his international retirement.
Snodgrass has announced he will concentrate on his Hammers career solely now and has bid the Tartan Army an emotional farewell after picking up 28 caps in an eight-year spell.
The 32-year-old’s final appearance for his country came in Scotland’s 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifier defeat away against Russia on October 10 after he pulled out of Sunday’s win over San Marino, which was effectively a dead rubber as Steve Clarke’s side could no longer progress from Group I in their bid to make next summer’s tournament.
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However, they can still earn a place in their first major summer competition since 1998 as they have the fall-back option of a play-off next year, having won their Nations League group, and Snodgrass believes they will, sooner rather than later, be back among the international elite.
In a statement confirming his retirement, he said: “I will now watch as a fan and I hope to see us play at a major tournament again soon. Fingers crossed the boys do it come March!”
Snodgrass says he thoroughly enjoyed representing the Scots but believes it’s the “right time” to hang up his boots for his country and he will now focus on helping the Hammers reach their goals this season and beyond.
He added: “There have been many highs throughout my international career, which I’ll always remember with fondness. It’s now the right time for me to step aside, though, and retire from international duty and let the boys and younger players take my place and hopefully push the squad forward.”
The midfielder has made four Premier League appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side so far this season, but just one of those has been a start. He will now hope the fact he has called it a day for Scotland means he gets more minutes on the pitch for his club.
The Hammers take on Everton at Goodison Park in the early game on Saturday when the league action resumes following the current international break.
