David Marshall has spoken of his excitement at beginning the next chapter of his career with Derby County.


The 35-year-old goalkeeper has joined the Rams on a two-year deal from Wigan Athletic to become manager Phillip Cocu’s second signing ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Marshall brings almost 550 games in club football with him to Pride Park Stadium, as well as over 30 caps for Scotland at international level.

The experienced shot-stopper says he needed little convincing when it came to signing for Derby.

The former Celtic, Norwich City, Cardiff City and Hull City goalkeeper is relishing the prospect of getting his Rams career underway after putting pen-to-paper.

“I am really looking forward to it (the challenge) and I am excited by it,” Marshall told RamsTV.


“When the club showed an interest, it was something I was keen to get done and I am just delighted to join. The way they finished last season, there is a real optimism around the club and I can’t wait to get going.

“I think I have got a lot of experience (to bring to the squad) and especially at this level.

“I know there are a lot of big characters here and ones with a lot of experience too and if I can add to that and help the young lads, then that is something I would love to do.

“First and foremost, I need to look to pes my own performances on the pitch. I want to keep as many clean sheets as possible and pick up as many points as we can early in the season.”


He added: “Everybody is looking to play at the highest level possible and it is great that Derby County has given me this opportunity.

“They have been at the top of this league for a few years now. Everybody is looking to improve, and it feels like there is a good mix of experience and really good young lads. There is a good feel about this squad.”

Marshall’s thirst for first-team football is as strong as ever and he still has the same burning desire to play on a regular basis as he did when he started out as a teenager with Celtic.

On top of that, he is still committed to playing on the international stage and has been Scotland’s first-choice goalkeeper since Steve Clarke’s appointment in 2019.


He wants to add to his 33 caps for the Tartan Army, as well as performing on a consistent basis for the Rams.

He said: “Staying in the Championship was a big factor, obviously with the international side coming up as well.

“It was important that I play at as high a level as possible and continue playing games.

“The excitement of coming to a club of this stature, with the back-end of the last season that they had, was a big pull.”

Marshall has left Wigan for Derby following a single season at the DW Stadium.

The Latics were relegated from the Championship on the final day of last season after being deducted 12 points for entering administration.

The goalkeeper made 40 appearances in total during the campaign and admits relegation was tough to take in the circumstances.

He hopes the Latics can quickly find themselves under new ownership and bounce back to the Championship.

He explained: “It has been a really sad end to what was a really great six months.

“From the turn of January, we were fantastic and since lockdown the form was probably even better, so to go from a relatively safe mid-table finish to being relegated is difficult.

“I think the most difficult thing now is what is happening to the club. The last few weeks and what is going to happen in the next few weeks, I am just hopeful that a new owner can be found and the club can keep as many players as possible and they can bounce back.“