Gordon Strachan ended David Marshall’s Celtic career but the Scotland number one would be delighted to ease the pressure on his inter-national manager with a victory at Wembley.
Marshall conceded five goals against Artmedia Bratislava in a Champions League qualifier and four against Motherwell in the SPL in Strachan’s first two matches in charge of Celtic in 2005 which led to him being dropped for the remainder of the campaign with Artur Boruc installed as first choice at Parkhead.
The 31-year-old, who grew up as a Celtic supporter, eventually left for Norwich City in 2007 in a bid to get first-team football after being unable to force his way back into the team under Strachan.
However Marshall, who now plays for Hull City, has seen off the challenge of Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon to become Strachan’s first choice for the national team.
Now he wants to ease the pressure on Strachan with a victory against England in Friday’s World Cup qualifier.
He said: “When we’re playing the game we’re not thinking about the manager – we’re thinking about getting a result. For us, as a group of players, it would be great to get the win for the manager regardless of pressures coming from elsewhere because he’s been a great manager.
“He’s helped a lot of players in this squad get to where they are so it would be good to get a positive result for him.
“He’s been fantastic for the last few years he’s been here, he gaveus a lift when we were looking down.
“As for the result last month, it’s put us in a position where we wouldn’t want to be but there’s still a long way to go in the campaign.
“We need to get points on the board as quickly as possible but there’s no reason to say we couldn’t win games after Friday which would put us in a position to qualify, but it needs to be sooner rather than later.”
Marshall knows playing against England makes the game more than just a routine qualifier, however.
“Bottom line is it’s another group game and there’s points at stake but we know Scotland against England doesn’t come along often so it’s a big occasion,” he said.
“But I’m sure we’ll be ready and focused when the game starts.
“We can’t let the emotions get the better of us and I’m sure that will be the same on the other side as well.
“I’m really looking forward to the game, but the most important thing is getting the result.”
Marshall has played at Wembley with Cardiff but was on the bench in August 2013, when Scotland lost 3-2 to England in a friendly.
He also played the first half of the 3-1 defeat to the Three Lions in the friendly match at Parkhead in November 2014, before being replaced by Craig Gordon.
“It’s a fantastic stadium,” he said. “It has a great atmosphere and a great place to play in.
“As a kid, Scotland and England at Wembley was one of the games to look out for. It’s massive. The last couple against England have been friendlies, this time it’s about putting points on the board.”
