SCOTLAND goalkeeper David Marshall has revealed the jealousy he felt watching the British Isles teams in action during this summer's Euros.

Gordon Strachan's side failed to qualify for the expanded tournament in France and the 31-year-old admitted how difficult it was to follow the various fortunes of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which starts in Malta on Sunday, Marshall, reportedly set to for a transfer from Cardiff City to Hull, told Sky Sports: "It was difficult to watch the home nations - because everyone was there it was hard to watch at times.

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"Obviously I watched most of the games, there was that feeling of 'what if?', a bit of jealously as well that you are not there.

"Hopefully it can be used to spur us on in this campaign."

Scotland have not been to the finals of a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France but this qualifying campaign promises to be as tough as any other over the past two decades.

The Scots will also have to face England, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania, with the Three Lions, under new boss Sam Allardyce, favourites to win the group despite a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign which saw them sensationally knocked out by Iceland in the last 16.

The former Celtic keeper said: "A lot of the teams in this qualifying campaign have been to the Euros.

"There can be some sort of hangover with some teams sometimes, so we hope to take advantage of that.

"But you are desperate to get there before your career comes to a close.

"I watched their (England's) opening game against Russia and they were excellent.

"It just shows you that one bad performance and they have ended up out of the tournament after that obviously disappointing game against Iceland.

"They will be looking now, with a new manager, to get that reaction so we know how difficult it is going to be."