David Marshall is desperate to be in goal for Scotland against Gibraltar, even though he knows he might have little to do.
The minnows are unlikely to bring much of an attacking threat to Hampden tomorrow night for the Euro 2016 Group D qualifier so whoever is manager Gordon’s Strachan’s number one choice could be more of a spectator than a player.
That is of little concern to Cardiff City keeper Marshall, who is just keen to get back on the park after Celtic’s Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor of Hull City played a half each in the 1-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland on Wednesday night.
He should be confident of a recall, having featured in previous qualifiers against Germany, Georgia, Poland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as the friendly loss to England.
Marshall said: “The manager hasn’t announced the team yet so we’ll just take it as it comes.
“I have played the last few qualifiers and I am looking to play on Sunday when, hopefully, I will not have a lot to do.
“I waited a long time to get a chance but with the standard of goalkeepers being what it is here it’s difficult to consider yourself number one.
“Craig is at Celtic and Allan is in the Premier League in England so I have never ever come here thinking that I should be playing.
“It is just over the last couple of years I have gotten myself to a level where I can believe in myself like that.
“So, back in the day, I never thought I was unfortunate not to play or was getting sick of it because I knew the other boys were doing great.
“Then I got a bit of luck because injuries put Allan and Craig out and I managed to get my chance and play well.
“Craig has done great to get fit and play at this level again so I won’t take anything for granted.
“I don’t think it will be a big decision whoever plays. I don’t think it will make a massive difference.
“However, the manager has stuck me in from the start of the campaign so I’m looking to keep playing well and stay in the side.”
Marshall admitted that being selected for the Dortmund campaign opener, which the Scots lost 2-1 to the world champions in September, was a special moment for him.
He said: “That was a big boost, yes.
“The manager didn’t name the team until the morning of the game so up till then none of us knew what was happening.
“I was confident that I could go and play if selected because I had been involved in the last few competitive games and friendlies before that.
“It was 50-50 who would get the nod but I was delighted when the gaffer gave me the jersey.”
Marshall, given the likelihood of long spells when he will watching attacks down at the other end of the park, is aware that he will need to stay alert when idle.
“There’s a lot of pressure on us to win the game,” he said.
“It’s a difficult match to talk about because concentration levels have got to be high.
“However, football is weird and a set-piece or deflection can change things.
“We need to start the game well. I’m sure the crowd will help early in the game. The earlier we can score the better.
“Concentration-wise it will be difficult. This is probably the only time with Scotland I’m not expected to have much to do.
“But the concentration part of being a goalie is a massive thing.
“I had it with Celtic when I was younger, playing a lot of games when there wasn’t a lot to do.
“We keepers just have to deal with it.”