Cultured Compper is keen to learn even more from Rodgers at Celtic
I speak German, French, English, Italian... and also some Dutch and Russian
THE acquisition of any talent from overseas invariably brings with it issues of culture and language. In Marvin Compper’s case, it can safely be said these will not be barriers to success at Celtic.
‘I speak four languages fluently and, if I was to spend a week in Holland, I would also speak that fluently,’ explained the former Germany international.
‘I am half-French, half-German, so I speak those languages and I did English at school and developed it from there watching television and from my team-mates. I also learned Italian when I was out there.
‘I also speak a bit of Russian, so it’s five-and-a-half. I was looking for a challenge, so I started to take private lessons and I did that for about a year. I am at the basic level of reading and writing in Cyrillic. Actually having a conversation would be tough, though.’
It can be taken as read that the man whose arrival at Celtic from RB Leipzig was confirmed yesterday does not view personal development in life as optional.
At 32 years old, having also turned out for Borussia Monchengladbach, Hoffenheim and Fiorentina, the cynics might assume he has moved to Scotland with half an eye on freewheeling towards retirement. That, however, would be a serious misjudgment.
‘First of all, you can always improve,’ added Compper. ‘When you stop improving, then you step backwards.
‘I am looking to learn from the gaffer and my team-mates. It is another country and style of football, but I also know a lot because I have played in Italy and Germany. I have played a lot of games and they can also learn from me. It is going to work both ways.’
The defender’s appetite for success in Scotland is likely to be enhanced by an impressive CV which contains one niggling omission: To date, he has not won a major honour.
‘If you see my profile, I have silverware,’ added the centre-half. ‘I was second in the Coppa Italia, but to win something and get a title would be good because I have never done that. That’s a big goal for me at Celtic and for the club.’
There is much to suggest Brendan Rodgers has landed the identikit of the defender he has been craving. Vastly experienced, blessed with physicality, recovery pace and brimming with natural intelligence, it’s hard to imagine Scottish football serving up anything that might flummox the new recruit.
‘I have played in a lot of big, important, difficult games,’ he added. ‘If you play Bayern Munich — and Celtic experienced that for themselves in the Champions League — it doesn’t come much more difficult than that.
‘Playing the likes of Borussia Dortmund in front of 83,000… those are real challenges.
‘I think I have enough big-game experience and, in that area, I am well-equipped. But I am also eager to gain more.’
Recent matters see Compper arrive in Glasgow rested and keen to impress. An integral part of the Leipzig side which won promotion and clinched Champions League football at the first time of asking, he had to settle for a peripheral role this term as manager Ralph Hasenhuttl rang the changes.
‘Leipzig is known for giving young players a shot and supporting them, which is what happened this year,’ he explained.
‘I played a big role last season in reaching the Champions League but, this season, the gaffer decided to give the young lad a chance and he took that chance. This is how football works.
‘Nevertheless, I still played a big role in the team with my experience. I’m a player who tries to improve and I brought that to training at Leipzig every day.
‘I bring a high intensity and a focus, and that is very important if you want to improve, not only in games, but in the training sessions.
‘In the last couple of months, I still brought that, even if I wasn’t playing so much.’
Contrary to widely held belief, his sole season in Florence in 2013-14 holds no regrets.
It was the chance to return to Germany and join the remarkable Leipzig project, as opposed to any misgivings about Italy, that led to the adventure being cut short.
‘It was very interesting,’ he recalled. ‘I learnt a new language, another culture and another football culture.
‘I grew a lot as a person and as a player. I profited a lot when I went to Leipzig from my experience in Italy.
‘I played with fantastic players. We had a great team. We just missed the Champions League by two points, which was a shame. It was a great experience.’
Two years after he returned home, the arrival of a teenager from Kirkcaldy gave the Scottish football public cause to familiarise themselves with all things Leipzig. Oliver Burke’s stay in Germany may not have lived up to its £13m billing, but the now West Brom winger left a lasting impression on Compper.
‘Ollie is a big talent,’ said the German. ‘He has unmatched speed, he is very strong, and he just needs to grow and put it all together on the pitch.
‘He is only 20 years old, so, for him, it is important to play regularly and I hope now that he is over his injury and has made his first start for West Brom that he gets to play regularly and he will develop. ‘He will be a big talent for the Scotland team also, a player like him with what he brings to the table. ‘His athleticism is unbelievable — and I think he can develop into a great player for Scotland.’ Burke didn’t hang around long enough to sample the Leipzig’s Champions League campaign and, truthfully, Compper didn’t taste much more with a sub appearance in the final game against Besiktas the sum total of his involvement. Notwithstanding four qualifiers next summer, he hopes he’ll see rather more action with Celtic. ‘That should be the goal for a club like Celtic,’ he added. ‘They are playing in the Europa League this season, but Celtic have already said they want to do better in the Champions League next season. This team should always reach for higher goals.’ Under Rodgers, Compper feels anything is possible. The German spoke briefly to his new manager last week over the phone and knew within a matter of seconds where he would be spending the next two-and-a-half years of his career.
‘I think Brendan Rodgers is a great manager,’ offered Compper. ‘He was at Liverpool before and he has a lot of experience even though he is still young.
‘He has this drive to get better himself and it’s going to be so interesting for me to see that and to feel that. We will see how the improvements will come.
‘He has a different perspective on me, because we’ve never worked together and now he will see me every day on the pitch. He will pick up on areas where he thinks I can improve.
‘He is good at communicating with players and making them better — and he has shown that in his time here already.
‘I hope to gain some insights. He was absolutely a big factor in coming here.
‘I’m really looking forward to us working together.’