The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rodgers pleased as Compper finally makes Hoops debut
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was pleased to see Marvin Compper make his belated Hoops debut in Saturday’s 3-0 William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Morton.
The 32-year-old German defender picked up a calf injury during warm weather training in Dubai in January, after his £1 million switch from RB Leipzig at the start of the transfer window.
Compper started his Hoops career with a pass straight to Ton attacker Gary Oliver but he was crowded out and there was little real danger from the visitors thereafter, although Jim Duffy’s Championship side impressed with their organisation and discipline.
Ultimately, a second-half double from Moussa Dembele, the second from a penalty, and a late strike from substitute Odsonne Edouard, on loan from Paris St -Germain, eased the holders into the semi-final draw.
Ahead of next Sunday’s derby against Rangers, Rodgers was glad Compper had at last seen some action.
The Northern Irishman said: “It was a case of getting out there and getting a feel for the pitch and the supporters. I wasn’t so sure about his first pass but after that he regained his confidence.
“It is never easy, not matter how old you are or how experienced you are to get your first game for a club.
“But he needed to come in and play.” Rodgers was also pleased that his side had come through the tie unscathed after the adverse weather had affected preparation.
He said: “It was a very tricky tie with the week we have had. The lack of training time showed in the first half, we weren’t at our standard in terms of our intensity, pressing and creativity.
“But you have to give credit to Greenock Morton, they had some good organisation, good players in the team and I thought they worked really well.
“We wanted to change it at half-time to be better for the second half.
“Odsonne came on to make a huge difference to the game. We slightly changed the shape of the team and we had much better control and intensity in the second half. I’m really pleased to get into the semi-final again this year.”
Compper is hoping to keep his place for the trip to Ibrox.
He said: “I’ll do my best during the week to try and make sure the gaffer puts me in. It is going to be very intense. We need to be ready from the first minute.”
Rodgers also admitted Odsonne Edouard has played himself into contention for the Old Firm derby after the substitute inspired Celtic.
Rodgers feels his overall display has put him in the frame for the Rangers.
The Hoops boss said: “He is a young player I rate very highly. He can play in a number of positions. He has strength, power, he threatens in behind ... he is quick but he can link the game as well.
“I felt as though those two occupied their back four really well because they are both quick and Odsonne really wants to really run in behind.
“He had two really good chances before he actually scored the goal so it is something that I can consider.”
Celtic’s penalty was awarded when Morton defender Michael Doyle was adjudged by referee John Beaton to have felled Dembele just inside the box.
Ton boss Jim Duffy, the former Dundee manager, claimed the infringement took place outside the box, although he conceded that the decision was probably not a game-changer at Parkhead.
He said: “When you come here you don’t want to hand victory to Celtic and we didn’t. But class told in the end.
“The second goal was a bit contentious because it looked like it was outside the box. I am not saying we would get back into the game but it gave Celtic a bit more time to relax.
“It was not much outside and I can understand why the referee has given it. I am not overly criticising him but it is a big decision.
“But Celtic dominated the second half and had real quality.”