Murray Johnson wasn’t even born when David Marshall was thrown into the bear pit of a European tie against Barcelona for Celtic.
The Hibs youngster would barely know anything about it if it was down to humble Marshall who, he insists, never talks about the day he shut out Ronaldinho, Xavi and co in the Nou Camp just weeks after turning 19. But Johnson has read all about the 2003 UEFA Cup exploits of the man he now calls a team mate and mentor at Hibs.
And the 17-year-old shotstopper insists Marshall’s journey to the top is the perfect road map for him to follow as he looks to make his own European bow for Hibs U19s in the UEFA Youth League clash with Molde this afternoon. Johnson said: “Marsh has been great for me. I think when he first came in everybody quickly realised that he would be a very, very good mentor for us young lads. I lean on him all the time for advice and his experience speaks for itself. He has played a number of times in Europe so he is a great help.
“That's not just the case for European games, I ask Marsh a lot about everything because he has been in the game a long time and has a lot of experience and there is a reason why he has been at the top for so long.
“So, it has been a real privilege to work alongside him every day and I have been leaning on him a lot especially ahead of these European experiences.
“The main thing he has said is to go and enjoy it. He was obviously a young keeper playing in Europe and he handled himself more than well enough.
“I think he got man of the match that day but he doesn't really want to hear about it.
“He is very, very humble but the more I can learn from him the better. He is a very humble individual, which, to me, seems crazy. If I was him I doubt i would be as humble!
“He has been there and done it so, for me, any advice I can get from him is very, very valuable.
“There is a reason why he has been up there at that level, doing it year after year, and he tells me wee things in training and even talking to him in the canteen is great and anything i can do to learn off him is massive for me as a young goalkeeper.
“I want to get to the levels he did and be involved in the situations that David Marshall was involved in during his career and the more advice I can take on board from him the better.”
Johnson, who was called-up to Billy Stark ’s Scotland U19 squad last week, can’t wait to tackle Norwegian champions Molde and added: “I think for everyone involved it is a reward for us winning the league last season.
It is a massive opportunity for us to showcase what we’ve got. I think we have a very good squad, a very good group and, for me personally, it is about going out and enjoying it and remembering all the hard work last season and the sacrifices we made to win the league.
“That is what got us here and what has given us the opportunity to play these games so that is the main thing to remember, this is the reward.
“It is going to be different and in loads of different aspects. It is a different atmosphere, different country, different climate, facilities, everything so I think it will be different for everyone, there’s no doubt about that.
“But I think we can all handle ourselves well and we are all capable enough. I have had a little bit of experience with the international team so, coming away, personally, I have a little bit of experience with that.
“We also have Darren McGregor here and he has played for Hibs in Europe so he has given us all advice on what that was like for him as well.
“We know it is different and all the surroundings are different but ultimately the game is 11 v 11 on the pitch and we know all our preparation comes down to that and no matter who we are playing, or what the circumstances are, we know we can go out on the pitch and give our all because we have prepared the best way possible.”
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