Marshall backs namesake to succeed

Motherwell goalkeeper Gordon Marshall believes that Celtic did not have Henrik Larsson to thank for yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Parkhead – but his opposite number David Marshall.

The former Celtic player knows all about the pressure of playing for the Glasgow club and he watched them fight back from a Derek Adams opener to earn a point.

Larsson came off the bench in the second half to save his side again and maintain their 16-point lead over Rangers in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and extend their unbeaten run at Parkhead to 75 matches.

But Marshall believes that teenage goalkeeper and namesake was their real hero with a number of good saves following his second-half display against Barcelona in midweek.

He could even be thrust into the hostile atmosphere of the Nou Camp should Martin O’Neill fail to resolve his goalkeeping problems, and he looks to have the confidence to handle it.

“I watched him on Thursday night and that was a hell of a game to come on,” said Marshall.