Robert Snodgrass is Hearts’ midfield metronome, so it feels apt that new contract talks are also running at his desired tempo.
A calming, experienced influence at the base of Robbie Neilson’s engine room, the 35-year-old scored his first goal in two-and-a-half years to rescue a point at St Mirren on Saturday. Without a pre-season when he arrived at Tynecastle in September, he has now become a firm favourite among fans’ as Hearts veteran conductor.
Neilson revealed last week that contract discussions were under way with the former Scotland international, whose current deal expires at the end of May. But, although he admitted playing for Hearts is an honour, Snodgrass maintained nothing has been agreed just yet.
“It’s been very, very minimal talk,” he said. “I’ll not sit here and say it’s close or anything like that. I have a family so it’s not just making a decision and going with it. I’m privileged that this club want to give me a chance. It’s a great chance. I’m delighted for that. But when things come up like this there’s a political side and a lot of things need to be in place.
”That’s not taken place yet between my agent and the club. I’m under contract and we just need to get the games out the way, try to stay undefeated, try to win them, and when the time’s right let them speak.
“I’ve loved every second being here. I have loved getting back fit. If I can stay pain free then I back myself fitness wise to be an influential part of the team with leadership, character, trying to make things happen, assists, goals. But I’m only part of the jigsaw.”
Snodgrass’ equaliser, arriving after Hearts had rode their luck amid a host of first-half St Mirren chances, was his first since netting for West Ham in September 2020.
“Is it? Jesus, I didn’t realise that!” the midfielder laughed. He’d been impressively nullified by Saints until shortly after the interval, but was allowed a moment to swing a teasing ball to the back post which caught keeper Trevor Carson on the hop and nestled in the corner. A special moment for him, no doubt, but he wasn’t for pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes.
It’s a good feeling, but…” he trailed off. “Listen, it was a cross! I never meant it. I don’t claim goals that I don’t mean, I’ve seen lads do it but not me!
“I’ve always been in a position to try and be in positions to go and score or create goals. Trying to build up play and the tempo, trying to get lads and defenders to step in and control the game. Get lads believing.
“We are doing it. We are playing some good stuff. We just need to be more consistent.
“The first half was tough but after the break we were definitely the better side. It was night and day.
“We had a talk at half-time to put some pressure on ourselves - if we want to be climbing the table, we need to have that variety to make options and angles. We did that second-half, and the goal gave us a lift. Our body language becomes a lot better, and we are in the ascendency to go and win the game. They sat behind in a back five, stayed flat, and it’s hard to break down. That’s why they’ve done well at home.”
Consistency was also a buzzword for Saints’ Curtis Main at full-time. Stephen Robinson’s team have only lost once at home this season, while recording just one win on the road. In truth, they should’ve been out sight by half-time on Saturday after Ryan Strain’s free-kick put Hearts on the back foot.
As both Celtic and Rangers discovered this season, they are not a side you want to find yourself behind against, such is their organisation and work rate. Discovering an added ruthlessness could be key to their upward Premiership ambitions, and Main firmly believes results on their travels will come – starting with a return against Hearts on Friday night.
“Even taking it back (to the Motherwell game), we’re disappointed we lost that one,” the striker said. “We never should have. It just shows what we’ve built here, how hard we work and how hard it is for teams to come and take points off us.
“It’s obviously something we need to build and progress and then try and take it on the road with us as well. Earlier on the season, we gave ourselves an uphill battle by conceding silly goals or penalties or other things away from home and were left chasing the game.
“That’s not something you want to do going away, putting yourself under more pressure. But there are no wholesale changes when we go away from home. Just keep believing and keep implementing what we work on every week. We’re confident results will pick up on the road as well.”
