HOOPS GO COMPPER
Rodgers targets Leipzig stopper Marvin in next month’s window
BRENDAN RODGERS has put Leipzig centre-half Marvin Compper top of his January wishlist as he looks to bolster his Celtic backline for the run-in.
After being made aware the German stopper was available for a knockdown fee of around £1million Record Sport
understands the Hoops boss is ready to pounce in the New Year.
Compper would be ineligible for Celtic’s Europa League last-32 clash with
Zenit St Petersburg as he played in the Champions League with the Germans who have dropped in to the same competition as the Parkhead men.
But Rodgers wants rearguard reinforcements after watching centre-back regulars Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko struggle with injuries in the first half of the campaign.
Compper – who was capped by Germany against England in 2008 – fits the bill as he was a mainstay of the Leipzig side who won top-flight promotion then finished second last term.
But the 32-year-old has struggled to stay in the side this season and has been restricted to just three outings – including the last 25 minutes of Champions League clash with Besiktas.
The ex-Monchengladbach, Hoffenheim and Fiorentina man was also watched at the weekend when he came off the bench against Mainz.
Rodgers is getting ready to snap the experienced defender up when the window opens in the new year but it is understood the Celtic gaffer is not pursuing a move for Astana attacker Patrick Tuwamasi.
He’s looking to strengthen his squad after landing Russian side Zenit in the last 32 in yesterday’s Europa League draw in Nyon.
Rodgers admitted Celtic have landed a tough tie against the club who beat Rangers under former Gers boss Dick Advocaat in the UEFA Cup Final in 2008.
Zenit have been ordered to close a section of their 68,000 capacity Krestovsky Stadium after controversial banners and a history of racist and homophobic abuse and Rodgers, who faced the Russians with Liverpool five years ago, will monitor all concerns ahead of the clash.
He said: “This was something I was made aware of before the last game we played out there because of the reputation they had within the stadium. I was aware of that side of it.
“But I have to say, in our game and our travel there, we didn’t have anything. It was a real intense game. Liverpool had a lot of supporters, Zenit as well, but there was huge policing and we had no issues at all.
“There is no place for it in football. Whether it’s football or society there is no call for it. In terms of speaking to our players about it we’ll think about that nearer the time.”
Rodgers is looking forward to the challenge after Zenit coasted through their group unbeaten, finishing ahead of Sociedad, Rosenborg and Vardar.
The Hoops boss said: “It’s a good draw. Thankfully, it’s a bit of time away so it gives us a period to hopefully be a better team when we get around to playing them.”
Zenit, managed by Roberto Mancini, start their winter shutdown today after a 0-0 draw at Akhmat Grozny yesterday, and are not back in league duty until March.
Rodgers admitted the long lay-off for the Russians could give his men a boost.
He said: “It’s a little bit like the challenges we face at the start of a season.
“Some of the teams we have to play in qualification are already in season. If you are in rhythm, in mid-season, it is better but they will see it as something they just have to get over.”