28-cap Scotland star admits not joining Celtic was 'a tragedy'

23 Jun 2026 19:02 BST | 3 min read

Martin O'Neill, Celtic, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Former Scotland international Robert Snodgrass has revealed that he could have joined boyhood club Celtic on three separate occasions.

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The 38-year-old had a lengthy top-level career, primarily spent in England. After leaving Livingston in 2008, Snodgrass suited up for Leeds, Norwich, Hull, West Ham, Aston Villa, West Brom and Luton.

He returned to Scotland in 2022, spending a season with Hearts before hanging up his boots. Repeated injury problems prevented the winger from winning more than 28 caps during his eight-year career with the national team.

Born in Glasgow, Snodgrass grew up a Celtic supporter despite playing for a Rangers-affiliated team in his youth. He never managed to play for the team he supported, although there were several opportunities to do so.

Celtic had actually offered him an apprenticeship when he was just breaking through, but Snodgrass turned it down because he didn't see a clear pathway to the first team. He now insists that he has "no regrets" about not playing for Celtic, though that wasn't always his view.

Snodgrass on failed Celtic transfers

Speaking to the Daily Record, the 38-year-old opened up on the three opportunities he had to join the Hoops. During his career, he believed that it would be a "tragedy" if he were to never play for the club, but he claims that he is now at peace with his failed transfers.

"It came close a couple of times," Snodgrass explained. "It was probably more just conversations, but it did come around a few times. It came down to a few different reasons; sometimes the club I was at didn’t want to lose me.

"The love and attachment to Celtic always drove me to play a part in those talks, but it never materialised for whatever political factors. I think there were three times when it was really close and two of those times I really tried. One was maybe a bit early after I’d moved.

"I sometimes felt, ‘if this never happens then it would be a tragedy!’ It just never came off. But I can’t have any regrets or complaints as I look back now as a retired pro after a good career. I still love watching them and cheering them on."

The previous campaign was a complicated one for Celtic, but Snodgrass believes that it can't be considered a "bad season" given that the Parkhead club came away with two domestic trophies.

"They found a way - and that is the mark of champions. They won the double. People say it was a bad season but I don’t think there is anywhere in the world where you can win a double and it’s a bad season.

"It’s incredible," he added. "What a job Martin O’Neill did, along with Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Gavin Strachan and others. They played a massive part."

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