Boss Rooney may hold key over Marshall
Derby County manager Wayne Rooney could leave Scotland boss Steve Clarke with a massive Euros headache if he decides to axe goalkeeper David Marshall for the rest of the season as the Rams attempt to avoid relegation to League One.
An injury to Marshall saw Dutchman Kelle Roos grab the jersey for County’s last six games and Rooney admits that he could keep his place after the international break.
Marshall has been Scotland’s first choice under Clarke. He played in Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Austria at Hampden and will earn his 42nd cap in Israel tonight.
However, with Jon Mclaughlin a back-up to Allan Mcgregor at Rangers, it would mean that, of the three keepers in the Scotland squad, only 38-year-old Craig Gordon at Hearts would be playing regular first-team football – against the likes of Alloa and Arbroath.
“Kelle has done well,” claimed Rooney. “He came in when Marshy was off ill and did really well. Then he came in again when Marshy got injured and has done well again, and he’s deserved to keep his place in the team.
“What I have said to the players is if you’re doing well enough in training and in games, you obviously give yourself a stronger chance to keep your place.
“It’s a nice problem to have. I want competition for places.
“It’s good for the squad and good for individuals to know there are players pushing them and making them perform better on a daily basis.
“It’s good to have two keepers in good form.”
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough would last night not be drawn on whether Steven Davis might be involved in today’s friendly against the United States – the Rangers midfielder will earn his 126th cap and move clear of Peter Shilton’s British appearance record if he is.
“There will be changes and quite a few of them,” Baraclough said. “We’ve got a squad of players here who are good enough to play for their country and are itching to get out there and have some game time.
“Hopefully there will be a freshness about us that you will be able to see.”