Robert Snodgrass has revealed his biggest Hearts disappointment to date as he looks to Man City star Rodri as inspiration in his position.
Robbie Neilson snapped up the former Scotland international last year on a one-year deal and he has been a real key influence on the Jambos this term. The capital club would love for him to extend his stay beyond the summer with a decison yet to be made on that front.
The 35-year-old was handed the armband for the Scottish Cup fifth round win over Hamilton Accies with skipper Craig Gordon out injured long-term and stand-in Lawrence Shankland suspended for the last 16 tie. Snodgrass, even at 35, admits he is still learning and watches many top players who play in the same areas of the park as he looks for his team-mates to trust he can deal with taking the ball on, even when under pressure.
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He told Edinburgh Evening News : “There are loads. You look at the top ones, your Rodris, in that position. He doesn’t do anything fancy He keeps it so simple but he is so effective at keeping the ball moving, keeping the flow going and creating a bit of variety.
“He plays in the pockets, wide, advanced. The biggest thing I’ve been disappointed in with myself is I’ve not got enough assists from set pieces. I’m trying my best to put it in those areas. Hopefully I can go on a wee bit of a run to create more assists.
“I try to watch a lot of players in that position. I’m still learning, even at 35. I want to try to be the best I can be. My biggest job is getting the lads to trust that I can deal with it, even if I’ve got a man on me. A lot of teams are playing now with somebody in advance, just sort of sitting on us, but that’s part and parcel of football. You need to be able to show that you can take it with a man on you and still try to play.”
Hearts now come up against Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup. The Hoops will make the trip to Tynecastle with both sides eyeing up Hampden and lifting the famous old trophy.
Snodgrass says it is one of the reasons he made the switch to Gorgie while he heaped massive praise on the Hearts support for their backing in large numbers.
He continued: “That’s one of the reasons I came here. We want to try and advance. The manager had spoken about Friday’s game being on TV, the travelling fans and how we wanted to give them something to cheer about. It’s already ingrained into the club to try and do well in the cups. You feel that as soon as you come in.
“The fans support us tremendously well. At home, there are waiting lists to get tickets. Away from home, they maximise what they can take. What a bunch, man. You have to take your hat off to them. Fair play to them. It was Friday night, pouring down, and they were still there chanting. It was important for us to get the victory and get into the next round for them.
“As I said, it’s ingrained in the club that they do well in the cups. It’s been no different since I came in to try and be a little shoulder from an experience point of view. The lads have been terrific. You try to get them to see that there is a chance. All teams will be believing at this stage.”
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