As reported by The Daily Record, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has opened up on the situation involving January signing Marvin Compper after a lack of appearances in his first few months at the club.
What’s the story?
Compper was considered a key addition to Rodgers’ squad during the last transfer window, with the side in need of a defender with experience at an elite level to help come in and settle down a criticised backline.
However, he’s made just one appearance so far, which came against lower league opposition in the Scottish Cup.
Fans have been left wondering about what his future is in the Hoops first team and Brendan Rodgers has addressed concerns about his progress.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the treble-winning manager said:
It was difficult for Marvin because he was injured in Dubai during the winter break, which put him out for a while. During that period young Kris has come into the team and been absolutely outstanding. So there have been others ahead of Marvin.
His qualities are pretty clear for us, his experience and his way of working with the younger guys in training. Of course he wants to play as well but these aren’t fitness games we’re playing.
He’s a really good communicator. He has certain qualities which really help support others.
We have a lot of young players in our squad, especially in central defence, so to have that experience around them helps. From a coaching and management perspective it’s valuable having him around, even if he’s not playing.
It appears then that his current role has been on the training pitch at Lennoxtown rather than pushing for a first team spot, but can he get some game time and show he was worth bringing to Celtic Park, as a player?
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Lacklustre options
With Jozo Simunovic falling out of favour, Dedryck Boyata not having the trust of supporters and youngsters like Jack Hendry and Kristoffer Ajer still learning their trade at the top level, there’s certainly a spot for someone to come in and become a first-choice defender at the Hoops.
Rodgers certainly rates Boyata but a number of mistakes in key matches has led to some calling on him to be replaced, but so far there’s little sign that Compper can be that man.
With close to 200 appearances in the Bundesliga, he certainly has the pedigree, but at 32 years of age does he have the pace to compete in the Scottish Premiership?
At this point, with just one cup appearance to his name, it seems unlikely he’ll make it at Celtic, but if Rodgers is finding value in his presence at Lennoxtown, it could be argued he is justifying his place in the squad.
