Snodgrass grew up a stone’s throw from Celtic Park but never got the chance to pull on the famous green and white hooped shirt as a professional player.
The former Scotland international admits that missing out on signing for his boyhood club was something he felt deeply throughout his playing career.
Speaking to Record Sport, Snodgrass revealed there were at least three separate occasions when a move to Celtic came tantalisingly close to becoming reality.
Former Celtic managers Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers were both involved in approaches for the winger at different points during his career.
Snodgrass enjoyed a standout career that took him from Livingston through to Leeds, Norwich, Hull City, and West Ham before finishing up with a stint at Hearts.
He said: “It came close a couple of times. It was probably more just conversations but it did come around a few times.”
He explained that the clubs he was contracted to at the time played a significant role in blocking any potential move from materialising on multiple occasions.
“The love and attachment to Celtic always drove me to play a part in those talks but it never materialised for whatever political factors,” he said.
Snodgrass admitted the emotion of repeatedly missing out was genuinely difficult to process at the time, stating: “I sometimes felt, ‘if this never happens then it would be a tragedy!’.”
He added: “I think there were three times when it was really close and two of those times I really tried. One was maybe a bit early after I’d moved.”
Despite the regret, Snodgrass is measured when reflecting on a career that took him to the highest levels of English football over many successful years.
“It just never came off. But I can’t have any regrets or complaints as I look back now as a retired pro after a good career,” he said.
The former winger remains a committed Celtic supporter and was full of praise for how the club performed during a turbulent domestic campaign last season.
He praised Martin O’Neill and his coaching staff, which included Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and Gavin Strachan, for delivering a league and cup Double.
“People say it was a bad season but I don’t think there is anywhere in the world where you can win a Double and it’s a bad season,” Snodgrass said.
He acknowledged significant off-field discord affected the club throughout the campaign but credited the squad for showing the character of true champions under pressure.
Looking ahead to the new season, Snodgrass believes Scottish football is set for another compelling title race involving several competitive clubs.
He noted that Rangers, now under Derek McInnes, would push hard, while Hearts were already conducting impressive transfer business despite losing their manager and captain.
“I’m excited for the new season,” Snodgrass said, signing off with the enthusiasm of a lifelong fan who still follows every match with real passion.
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