PERFECT FIT FOR CELTIC
Compper tipped to be ideal defensive signing
MARVIN COMPPER was last night backed to be an ideal defensive acquisition for Celtic after arriving in Scotland to finalise a £900,000 move.
The 32-year-old RB Leipzig centre-back flew into Edinburgh Airport at lunchtime yesterday to undergo a medical ahead of agreeing what is expected to be a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Providing there are no late hitches, Compper will become Brendan Rodgers’ first January signing
and link up with the Parkhead squad when they begin their winter training camp in Dubai early next month. Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies believes the ex-Fiorentina and Hoffenheim man — who has one full Germany cap — has both the experience and ability to fit with Rodgers’ style of play. ‘He is a guy who fits the profile of what we would like in a central defender,’ said Davies. ‘He is used to playing a high defensive line, he is technically good on the ball, athletic and fast. He understands the model of play we like. Again, we will see if it does go through. ‘Bringing someone in with pedigree is always interesting and if it happens it will improve us as a team. If it happens, then it’s someone who’s experienced. You need a balance in your squad rather than too much either way. ‘You saw the benefits of having Kolo Toure last season, with the experience he has. We’ve got guys like Craig Gordon, Broony (Scott Brown) our captain, guys with experience. It’s not something we are lacking but it’s good to have that balance.’ Davies stressed that the signing of Compper, who would be ineligible to face Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League, would be in tandem with support for the club’s existing centre-back options. Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata both endured miserable personal displays as Celtic’s record 69-match domestic unbeaten run came to a crushing end in last Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Tynecastle. ‘We’re talking to him and he’s obviously arrived in the country,’ said Davies of Compper. ‘Our recruitment has looked at all areas of the pitch. He’s a player being spoken about now and he’s a centre-half, so it is an area we’re looking at. ‘We strengthen where it is needed but we share the success together. At Hampden everyone was on the podium, from the players to the kit men. ‘We’re together when we win and we are together when we suffer a setback. That’s the culture we have and the manager gets everyone together in these moments.’