Aston Villa favourite axed by Everton hero after admitting veteran's absence makes his job easier
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Robert Snodgrass faces Hearts axe after snub by interim manager Steven Naismith
Former Aston Villa winger Robert Snodgrass is in talks over ending his contract with Scottish club Hearts as manager and Everton hero Steven Naismith admitted that the veteran’s absence made his life easier.
Snodgrass signed for the club until the end of the season last September, but is now set to end his contract at Tynecastle early. The 35-year-old joined the Scottish Premiership team after leaving Luton Town last year, and he appears to have now played his final game in maroon after being sent off during last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren before Robbie Neilson was sacked the following day.
Former Everton star Naismith has been placed in charge until the end of the season and he will take charge of his first match on Saturday - a baptism of fire against fierce Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at Easter Road. The Hearts boss now commented on Snodgrass and his expected departure.
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"Snoddy is not going to be involved," Naismith said. "That part of it is ongoing. Obviously there’s a suspension there and I’ve had a chat with him and the decision has been made.
"If Snoddy’s not involved, for me personally, the job becomes harder if there’s always questions about Snoddy. All round, I felt it was best if he wasn’t around for that. For no other reason than it makes everything easier for me.
"Now on that, Snoddy was really disappointed and it's hard for me as someone who is his friend, has been his teammate and had a long lasting relationship with him, to have that conversation with him and see how disappointed he was.
"But Snoddy’s got really good attributes. He’s been a fantastic player from when I was his teammate and I've only got good things to say about him, but the decision was made."
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