Derby County goalkeeper David Marshall knows how important Scotland’s qualification for the Euros next summer will be for the country as he prepares for a crucial Play-Off Semi Final clash against Israel on Thursday 8th October (7:45pm kick-off).
It’s been 22 years since Scotland last qualified for a major tournament. Christian Dailly was Derby’s representative in their World Cup 1998 squad that year and Marshall is hoping to help the Tartan Army to qualification for next summer’s competition.
Scotland face Israel at Hampden Park, a team they are already familiar with after drawing 1-1 in their Nations League group last month. However, this time, there is a lot more on the line as a place in the Final awaits the winner.
Should Steve Clarke’s side be victorious, they will face either Serbia or Norway in the Play-Off Final, with the winner qualifying for the Euros, so there is a huge prize on offer for the winner.
Marshall, who is Scotland’s first choice goalkeeper, believes it is a huge opportunity for the nation to qualify for their first major competition in nearly a quarter of a century.
“It seemed the norm when I was growing up that the home nation got there,” he said. “I was at Cardiff the time that Wales went through their spell and the lift it gave to the country was great.
“It would be fantastic if we can do it and I really do feel that with the young lads coming through at Scotland the opportunities are getting greater and we are getting closer.
“It was good last month when we actually got to play Israel so that was good for both teams to get a closer look at the opposition and to have the two games last month to get the season up and running before the play-offs happen.
“Last month we were at the tail-end of pre-season and a short one at that so a lot of lads were just thinking of fitness. It is a massive game and how it has fell on the calendar now is probably better for us with everybody looking fit and fresh.
“Thursday is a massive opportunity and hopefully we can get back to being that regular at the tournaments again that I experienced up until France 98 I think was the last one.
“It is big for kids growing up to watch their country playing against the big players. It is something I remember when I was only younger. It is something we can get and hopefully we can do it.”
One element that will be missing at on Thursday, however, is the supporters, owing to the Coronavirus outbreak.
There can be special atmospheres inside Hampden Park on big international nights, but even though they can’t be in attendance, Marshall is looking to do them proud.
“Everybody knows how big the crowd is, especially at Hampden for us,” he commented. “I think there were hopes of us getting some fans in, but the way things have gone there has been a set-back.
“We played last month at Hampden and walking out with no fans, it was strange. International games are always such big occasions with the full houses, the crowd, the expectation and obviously the national anthems as well.
“You get that extra adrenaline that is not going to be there, but it is such a big game next week that I don’t think it will be too much of a factor. The lads will be so wound up for the game that hopefully it doesn’t come into account.”
Marshall has made four competitive appearances for Derby County this season after joining the club from Wigan Athletic and earned his first clean sheet against his former club Norwich City on Saturday.
