Fresh from his time away with Scotland on international duty, Derby County goalkeeper David Marshall is back in training with his team-mates preparing for the first game of the 2020/21 Sky Bet Championship season on Saturday against Reading at Pride Park Stadium (3pm kick-off).
The 35-year-old could make his Derby debut against the Royals after signing from Wigan Athletic in the summer and he heads into the game in good form having picked up four points from a possible six in the Nations League with his country in the last week.
After a 1-1 draw against Israel, who Scotland face in the European Championships play-off games next month, Marshall was named Man of the Match as Steve Clarke’s side beat the Czech Republic 2-1 away from home to go top of their group.
Marshall, who has 35 caps to his name for Scotland, played the full 90 minutes in both games for the Tartan Army - and as a result he comes into this weekend’s season opener feeling sharp.
The goalkeeper only arrived at Pride Park Stadium last month from Wigan, but has settled in well and cannot wait to get going.
“It has been a bit strange, I only had nine or ten days with the guys after I signed and then we had the international break,” he told RamsTV.
“It has helped that I have known a few of the guys from previous clubs, so I have settled in pretty well. The lads have been great and the management staff have been great as well.
“I have settled in with Shay Given (Derby's Head Goalkeeping Coach) reasonably quickly and I am enjoying the training so far. I am looking forward to Saturday.”
It’s been a quick turnaround since the end of the 2019/20 season, with the COVID-19 outbreak disrupting the last campaign and preparations for the new one.
Whilst it’s been a shortened break, Marshall has had time to get to know his surroundings and believes there is a lot of quality in the Derby squad to perform well in the division this season.
“There hasn’t particularly been a conversation, but coming into the club, I can see the quality in the dressing room and the experience there as well,” he said.
“I have been at clubs before where we have nearly got promoted and it is just a case of keeping on going.
“When I step in and see that quality and experience in the dressing room, it can only stand us in good stead to try and get promoted. That has got to be the aim within the football club.
“It is important that we get a good start because I think the teams that got promoted last season were the three best teams in the league.
“We know how hard it is for relegated Premier League teams coming down so if we can get off to a good start then there is no reason why we can’t be up there.”
