Leeds United legend Gray says Snodgrass deserves to play Premier League football

Leeds United legend Eddie Gray believes that midfielder Robert Snodgrass has what it takes to play in the Premier League.

Snodgrass has been linked with a move away from the Yorkshire club with Norwich thought to be interested in the Scotland international.

Gray told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Robert Snodgrass has proved, over the past few seasons at Leeds United, that he’s a top class player.

"He wants to play at the highest level, I think that’s what he’s saying with his comments this week. And if the opportunity comes around, it looks like he might take it and I don’t think anyone can blame him for that.

"I've always said I'd be disappointed in any player who did not want to play at the highest level they possibly can. That’s the important thing in football as a professional footballer; you do the very best you can with the ability you've got."

But Gray knows that if United were to lose Snodgrass, it would be a big void to fill but will understand why he moves on.

Gray added: "You've got to still say that if Robert leaves our football club, it will be a big blow.

"As everybody knows, he's been the main man for us over the past few seasons. Basically since he came to the club from Scotland, his form has been very good.

"If Robert goes, I don’t think anyone can say he's let down the football club because he's stayed loyal for the past few years and the longer it goes without him playing at the highest level, the less chance he's going to have."

But Gray still has hope for Leeds, and knows that there is still a chance Snodgrass could still stay at the club even if it is a small chance.

Gray said: "It's not over until it's over and we've got to hope there’s still a good chance Robert will sign a new contract with us, but we'll just have to wait and see.

"Looking at Robert, he's probably seen a lot of players leave to play in the Premiership and he'll probably think he's as good, if not better, than them.

"He's entitled to think: 'I want a go at that.'

"In terms of whether he can handle the Premier League, he's as ready as he'll ever be, in my opinion."