ROBERT SNODGRASS

Picture courtesy of Scott McLean- www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk

Nineteen year old striker Robert Snodgrass was signed just days before the end of the transfer window on loan from first division side Livingston till the end of the season. Robert has came through the youth system at Livingston and he made his debut just days after his 17th birthday in a 2-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock. Robert scored his first goal for Livi after only three games in a 2-0 home win over Dunfermline. In total Robert has so far played 25+30 appearances for Livingston and he has scored seven goals (including a brace over Rangers in a 2-2 home draw last season). Robert went on to cap a fine season last year (despite Livingston being relegated from the SPL) when he was one of the Scotland under 19 squad who went all the way to the Uefa Championship under 19 final in Poland. The campaign started back in October 2005 with the first qualifying group being staged in Switzerland. Robert featured twice in the three games in which Scotland remained unbeaten and finished joint top with hosts Switzerland. The second and final qualifying round was staged in Belarus at the end of the season last year. The group featured France, the hosts Belarus and Bulgaria, but it was the Scots who managed to finish top with two wins and a draw and Robert started in all three games and scored one goal against Belarus. The finals of the competition were held in Poland in July 2006 and Scotland were underdogs in a group with Spain, Portugal and Turkey. Despite this, Scotland managed to finish second in the group and qualify for the semi final's with Robert playing in all three games. Scotland pulled off another shock as they managed to beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in which Robert played the full second half to reach the final. Scotland were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final in which Robert never featured in the final due to him being booked in the semi's and going over the points threshold, but overall it was a fantastic achievement and something that made ever Scot proud. Robert has only made seven appearances (all but one from the bench) for Livi this season, despite reports Barcelona were wanting to take him for a trial and despite a last minute loan attempt by Ayr United, Robert signed on till the end of season with the Binos and will add some much needed competition for places up front.

If you have any information on this player, please e-mail myself with it at james@stirlingalbion.com.