High praise for Snodgrass as McCartney retires

AS one Leeds United player prepares for what he hopes will be the first of many appearances for Scotland tonight, another has called time on his international career.

Robert Snodgrass is the man in line to make his debut when Craig Levein’s Scots take on a Northern Ireland side that will now be without United’s on-loan full-back George McCartney following the 29-year-old’s surprise decision to quit the Irish set-up.

News of McCartney’s retirement was broken yesterday by manager Nigel Worthington, immediately dashing any hopes of the two Leeds players lining up against each other in tonight’s Carling Nations Cup tie in Dublin.

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Despite that, United manager Simon Grayson is still delighted by Snodgrass’s possible involvement.

He said: “Getting the call-up was a long time coming. I am really pleased for him because he has shown consistency and quality. He also works hard for the team.

“I would never question an international manager’s selection but I am delighted for Robert that he has got the recognition.

“I hope he now goes on to win many, many caps.

“I would say ‘Snod’ is playing as well now as he did last season. He has shown an ability to destroy very good individuals.

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“We saw what he did to Clint Hill of QPR (just before Christmas when Leeds beat the leaders 2-0). He had to be dragged off at half-time and yet has been part of one of the best defensive records in the Championship.”

Snodgrass’s form for Leeds has certainly not gone unnoticed by the Scotland hierarchy, as revealed ahead of tonight’s game by Kenny Black, who along with Peter Houston completes Leivin’s three-man coaching team.

Black said: “He has matured on the pitch. He is playing with a prominent side in Leeds who have got promoted from League One and stepped up a level.

“They are now challenging for the play-offs in the Championship. I have seen him play two or three times this season and he has caught the eye.”

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As Snodgrass waits to find out if he will feature for the Scots tonight, one United player who did make his international bow yesterday was Jonny Howson.

The Leeds captain came off the bench for England Under-21s in their 1-0 defeat to Italy in Empoli.

Having been a late call-up on Sunday, Howson was brought on by Stuart Pearce with half an hour to go when the score was goalless.

He then made some neat touches in midfield as England looked the more likely to break the deadlock only for Italy to snatch a late winner through a penalty from Manchester United’s Federico Macheda.