Ahead of their clash with England this Friday evening, Scotland boss Steve Clarke has confirmed David Marshall we start alongside Scott McTominay in central midfield.
Marshall, who has spent his entire career as a goalkeeper, is understood to have completely given up the goalkeeping role in a bid to become the next N’Golo Kante; a decision he made during Scotland’s opening day defeat to the Czech Republic.
NEW TO PADDY POWER?
“We had no idea what he was up to lurking around the middle of the park, but as it turns out, he was playing in that defensive midfielder role,” confirmed Clarke.
“To be fair, now that he’s explained his actions, we feel he was doing a really good job in that position so have decided to keep him there for the England game, to keep an eye on Kalvin Phillips.
LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – JUNE 06: David Marshall of Scotland in action during the international friendly match between Luxembourg and Scotland at Stade Josy Barthel on June 06, 2021 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
“Let’s be honest, he peaked as a keeper when he saved that Mitrovic penalty last year, so I understand why he fancies a new challenge. Kante is a great player to model his game on too, so there’s no complaints from our camp.
“We’re going to stick Lyndon Dykes in goal as he’s better there than he is up top.”
Paddy Power News managed to grab a word with Marshall to understand his stance on the wonder goal scored by the Czechs.
“I was on the halfway line because I was protecting my defenders,” he told us.
“I’ve watched enough of Kante to know that as a defensive midfielder, my position was spot on. I was completely aware of what was happening around me and offered great cover. It’s not my fault we didn’t have a goalkeeper on the pitch at the time.”
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 14: Scotland fans react while watching the match at the fanzone outside the stadium on June 14, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Scotland take on the Czech Republic in their first major tournament game for 23 years. The UEFA European Football Championship was meant to be held last year before being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Elsewhere ahead of this monumental clash, news has emerged from the England camp that Jordan Henderson will be in the starting XI.
It has been reported that Liverpool captain, Henderson, without any consultation whatsoever with Gareth Southgate, any of the coaching staff or any of his fellow players, has confirmed himself as the captain, the corner taker, the free-kick taker and the penalty taker.
READ MORE ON EURO 2020
- Ronaldo celebrates Euros record breaking night with Bargain Bucket
- Euro 2020 top scorer latest odds, best bet and golden boot standings
- Euro 2020 fixtures and results: All the scores, groups and latest odds
- Come on you boys in white! Irish clubs to net €10k as England score at Euro 2020
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
