Andriy Yarmolenko scored one of the two goals that defeated Portugal, ensuring the Ukraine progress to the next round of the Euro's. His 27th minute strike means that he averages just about a goal in every two games for his country, not a bad return for a player who is not an out and out striker is it?
The six foot three inch player is only just returning to full fitness after his dreadful Achilles injury that kept him out for the bulk of last season, by his own admission he has a long way to go in order to play to his full capacity, his injury being one that some players never return form properly. Julien Faubert was a classic example, nicknamed Le TGV for his astonishing speed, he was an expensive acquisition who 'snapped' his Achilles while playing in a friendly, he never returned to being that player again, although he did go out on loan to Real Madrid where he was famously spotted asleep while on the bench as a substitute!
While one player is taking the plaudits praise for his international performances, another has called it a day. Not surprisingly Robert Snodgrass has hung up his international boots for the second and final time, Snoddy has been a fine servant for Scotland but maybe feels the National team are in transition and that his energies would be best used trying to get some game time at West Ham United.
Robert Snodgrass is in the twilight of his career, and despite obviously being trusted by Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini, finds himself well down the pecking order. The extremely popular Scot has been used very sparingly this season, and may well want to move on to pastures new in order to play more football, as such he might leave during the January window, as there will be plenty of suitors for his services.
Both Snodgrass and Yarmolenko are proof that nothing is written in stone in the Barclays Premier League, each has returned from the differing difficulties they faced as stronger wiser players, people who's work rate and endeavour ensured they were able to take their places in the squad back, the irony being that Yarmolenko's return may well herald Snodgrass's eventual departure. - Ed
