ROBERT SNODGRASS, the professional footballer, will take the day off rather than add to his 15 caps today.
Instead, he will happily regress to his childhood and become simply a football fan once more. The forward will be in the stand for Scotland's opening home match of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Georgia rather than out on the Ibrox pitch after dislocating his kneecap in the opening league game of the season, just weeks after completing a £6m move from Norwich City to Hull City.
It is a serious injury and one that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season. A long slog lies ahead of him, day upon day of exhausting rehabilitation, and he admits it is not something he is particularly looking forward to. He is aware of the difficulties that others in a similar position have endured over the years, some slumping into periods of depression after weeks and months away from the comforting environs of a football pitch. He is determined not to suffer the same fate.
"It's been really hard especially when you've got family and such," he said. "It affects everything. Anyone living with a footballer will tell you it's difficult because one thing can set you over the edge.
"I've seen many players come out saying because of injuries they've hit depression. I don't want that for me. That's why I'm focusing on things, being the best person I can be and trying to give everything each day in my recovery.
"I remember what happened to the likes of Tony Adams and Paul Merson. At the time the fans probably didn't know they were going through that. It's only until after you realise these things. So that's probably why there are a lot of psychologists involved now which I think is good."
This evening's match, then, offers Snodgrass a welcome distraction. Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager, has given him the opportunity to still feel a part of a squad, inviting him to attend team meetings and offer his input. It is something he greatly appreciates.
The match itself will allow him to remember happier days when he was just a young lad from Glasgow who loved football and dreamed of one day making it to the top.
"I used to watch Scotland games on TV as a schoolboy - I remember us being at the World Cup in 1998 - so I've always been a fan," he added.
"That's why, when you pull on that jersey and score at Hampden or away from home, it feels so spectacular. It's a great feeling - you're back to being a fan again.
"You see the lads singing their hearts out [during the national anthem] and that's the way it should be. Before you're called up you're a fan so you know what it's all about. You know how much the country are striving for you to do well."
After an encouraging, if ultimately unsuccessful, opening game against Germany, Snodgrass has a good feeling ahead of this week's double-header against Georgia and then away to Poland.
"Nobody would have thought we'd have gone away to the World Cup winners and put on a performance like that. We ran them close and should have got something from the game. Once you see that first hand you start to believe and it's good that people are starting to take notice.
"This is a results business and we've been getting results. That's probably what the manager is most pleased with. It's his first full campaign and everyone just wants to put some points on the board."
Robert Snodgrass is an ambassador for the Bank of Scotland Midnight Player of the Year event today. Players have been selected to attend from across Scotland for their outstanding contribution to the Bank of Scotland Midnight League programme throughout 2014.
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