David Marshall is looking forward to doing battle with fellow Scot Paul Gallacher as he seeks to resurrect a career which has taken a wrong turn since his sensational debut north of the border.

By CHRIS LAKEY

David Marshall is looking forward to doing battle with fellow Scot Paul Gallacher as he seeks to resurrect a career which has taken a wrong turn since his sensational debut north of the border.

It was back in the early months of 2004 that Marshall - deputising for Rab Douglas - really made a name for himself, keeping the might of Barcelona at bay at the Nou Camp to earn Celtic a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

It earned him a regular place in the Celtic first team, but, having shared duties with Douglas, he then found himself behind the Pole, Artur Boruc, in the pecking order.

Boruc's form has limited Marshall to just two starts this season so when the chance of a loan move came he grabbed it - a wise move considering Celtic boss Gordon Strachan yesterday signed Mark Brown from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“I think the most important thing is I wasn't playing up there so it's just good to get the chance down here,” Marshall said yesterday.

“Peter Grant has shown a bit of faith in me taking me down so hopefully I can repay that. I don't think you can hang around waiting to see if you do get a game, so the most important thing for me, especially at my age, is to get games, so I am happy to be here.”

Marshall met up with Gallacher yesterday - with both players waiting to see who will get the nod for tomorrow's trip to Burnley.

It's Scot v Scot - and Marshall is looking forward to the battle.

“Paul is alright - I just met him here this morning,” said Marshall. “I have met him three or four times in the Scotland set-up so I don't think that will be a problem. Obviously he wants to play and I am down here to play as well, so just get our heads down in training and see what happens on Saturday.

“I have had challenges ever since I was in the first team at Celtic so it won't be much different for me. Hopefully I can win this one.”

However, while Marshall may be battling for a Norwich City shirt tomorrow, he hasn't given up on making the Celtic number one slot his own, despite his current frustrations.

“I am just here to get games and we will see what happens in the summer,” said the 21-year-old. “I haven't spoken to Gordon Strachan to see what is happening. For me just now it is a loan deal and I am going back to Celtic to fight for a place and until I know any differently that's what I will do.

“I am sitting on the bench up at Celtic and came here to get games - I am not guaranteed a game so I will just have to work hard and hopefully I can impress the manager and do well when I get the chance.”

It's been so far, so good for Marshall.

“It was in the pipeline for a week or so, but I got a phone call on Tuesday and got a flight straight down and I'm looking forward to getting started,” he said. “It's a good facility - when you are up in Scotland you don't realise down south what facilities they have got in the Championship so I'm very happy. I have seen everything and it looks a very professional set-up and hopefully I can get started well and do well.

“I have watched Championship football, it is a very tough league - you look down the division you see some massive teams in there. I know it is going to be hard; obviously Norwich are not doing too well just now so hopefully we can put it right come Saturday.”