David Marshall impressed by Scotland's young goalkeepers

David Marshall believes Scotland will remain in safe hands even once he, Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon hang up their goalkeeping gloves.

he Cardiff shot-stopper is the current holder of the Dark Blues' number-one jersey after coming out on top of the three-way struggle to start in goal for Gordon Strachan's side.

But Marshall, 31, knows he will eventually have to relinquish his grasp as the next generation of goalies make their way through the ranks.

With Celtic keeper Gordon and Hull's McGregor - who have both previously held the starting honours for Scotland - missing Sunday's friendly with Italy in Malta as well as next week's trip to France, Marshall will be deputised by Ross County's Scott Fox and Hearts youngster Jack Hamilton.

Dundee number one Scott Bain was also invited to take part in the double-header before a back injury ruled him out but Marshall is convinced there is enough talent flourishing to ensure the glove rivalry continues.

He said: "The competition here is always really high. Obviously Craig, Allan and myself are really experienced and have been here a long time.

"Now we've got Scott and Jack involved but the competition is still there. The standard has got to be high to get in the squad because it's international level.

"It's good to know we've got that competition because Craig, Allan and myself are that bit older now and we need boys coming through."

Marshall, who has 22 caps, added: "It took me a long time to rack up that many games. That's just because of the standard of goalkeepers we have here. I never doubted myself. Whether I thought I'd get my chance I wasn't so sure of, because Allan and Craig are excellent goalkeepers.

"So my message to the young lads is to keep believing and when they're playing at club level, keep their standards as high as they can. When they get their chance, they need to take it.

"Scott won the League Cup with County this year and Jack has played the last three games for Hearts. They can't do much more than that right now.''

However, Marshall is not ready to make way for his younger colleagues just yet.

"I'm just looking to keep playing," he said. "I've got an opportunity now to probably play most of the two games because Craig and Allan have pulled out.

"Hopefully I can get the two games, do well again and keep my place.''

Strachan will feel blessed with his goalkeeping options - but so will Italy boss Antonio Conte and his French counterpart Didier Deschamps.

The Azzurri still have World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, while Tottenham stopper Hugo Lloris is first choice for Les Bleus.

"As a goalkeeper, it's great for me to play against the likes of them,'' said Marshall. They are probably among the top five keepers in the world. I want to test myself and prove myself at that level.''

Next week's opponents are gearing up for Euro 2016 but for Scotland, the friendly clashes will round off a disappointing year following their failure to qualify for the finals.

But Marshall hopes to build up some momentum as his side turn their focus to making the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He said: "We just want to do well and build up some confidence. We got two good results back in March against the Czechs and Denmark and we want to do that again.

"Even though we never made the Euros, we can still take a lot of confidence and belief from these two games. Hopefully if we can get two results against France and Italy that will give us some momentum going into the campaign."

They are a real step forward for the club."