Joe Hart sends three-word message to boyhood Celtic fan Robert Snodgrass after West Brom exit
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has reacted after it was confirmed on deadline day that Robert Snodgrass has left West Brom.
It was a quiet final day of the transfer window for the Baggies until a late flurry of loan exits, followed by the announcement that Snodgrass, 34, had mutually agreed to terminate his contract at The Hawthorns.
There had been rumours that the ex-West Ham and Leeds midfielder had fallen out with manager Valerien Ismael and he hasn’t made a matchday squad since the draw with Middlesbrough on November 11.
Although it’s not been an amazing 12 months in the Black Country for the ex-Scotland international, he was still very gracious in his departing message on Instagram.
His post attracted messages from some of his former teammates, including Celtic’s former West Ham and Manchester City shot-stopper Hart, who said: “Good luck, mate.”
Snodgrass had made no secret that he’s a boyhood Celtic fan [Scottish Sun] so maybe his next move could be to return to Scotland and were it all began.
Midfielder out – but no midfielder in
West Brom fans went into the January transfer window knowing that Ismael’s squad had some serious flaws – including the manager himself.
Daryl Dike was instantly signed from Orlando City and that took us by surprise in the fact that it was a straight-up permanent deal and not a loan or a loan-to-buy.
We’re massive unlucky that Dike has since been injured and is set for another seven weeks out on the sidelines and Andy Carroll has been brought in to cover for him.
Our striker position is kind of sorted, albeit not amazing until Dike is back but the midfield situation is dire.
None of Alex Mowatt, Jake Livermore or Jayson Molumby have impressed this season bar one or two performances. Snodgrass was in the mix to play in the midfield but now his exit leaves us very light in that department.
Despite letting go of Snodgrass, no midfielders were brought in and with rumours the Scot had fallen out with Ismael, it seems that the Frenchman’s streak of upsetting players is hindering the team’s quality as a whole.
With Sam Johnstone now being left out of the last two matchday squads and David Button starting in goals, our team is further weakened by what feels like a very avoidable issue that starts from the top.
In other West Brom news, Ismael’s future at the Baggies is under “serious consideration”.