SOME interesting comments from former Celtic star Andreas Hinkel this morning on his fellow countryman Marvin Compper.
Compper arrived at Celtic in January and looked set to added some much needed experience and maturity to the centre of Celtic’s defence. However an injury picked up almost straight away while away with the team at their winter training camp in Dubai, de-railed his start as a Celtic player.
As things turned out he got one start – against Morton in the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park – and although he had a steady afternoon that day, he didn’t feature again last season – even when the league had been won.
In fact he wasn’t even appearing on the bench in most games and the chat that was apparently coming out of Lennoxtown was that he was not impressing.
There’s a story today that Lazio are firming up on their interest in Celtic’s first choice central defender Dedryck Boyata who is currently starring for a hugely impressive Belgium side at the World Cup. Apparently the Italian side is preparing to offer Boyata – who they don’t have permission to speak to – £1.3m per year after tax.
Whether his new contract that he told us he was going to sign when he comes back from Russia, is on a par with this we can’t say. But if Boyata’s head is turned by this or any other opportunity then all he has to do is say he’s not re-signing and he’ll be away. His position, is no different to that of Stuart Armstrong who will join Southampton on Wednesday.
Events in Russia make the Compper situation in Austria – when Celtic get there – that little bit more important. Last week Celtic were linked with a move for John Terry – again the craving for quality and experience in defence, and that move would make a great deal of sense in the short term. Playing in Champions League qualifiers is hardly going to faze a former Champions League winner.
Compper needs to deliver in pre-season if he has to have any future at the club. If he’s had six months to settle in, to get to know what is expected of a Celtic player and to get to know his team-mates, then he starts to deliver then that is going to be acceptable.
Anything else that falls short of that minimum requirement will be unacceptable and the German will be deemed surplus to requirements. Football is brutal business and Compper, who has had a decent if not outstanding career, knows this only to well.
Henkel, speaking to The Evening Times, gave his opinion on the player and his chances at Celtic. Having been over the course himself he knows what is expected at Celtic and he still reckons that Compper has a chance.
“The big thing for Marvin will be that he gets a good pre-season in. He has huge experience and he is a very intelligent player,” Henkel said.
“He thinks about the game which can make the difference but at the same time you also need your body to be 100 per cent in order to be able to do what you want it to.
“He will be hoping that he can get his fitness right and then take it from there.
“He has a good pedigree. And I did think that when he signed for Celtic in January that he would be a good fit for the club.
“I thought that his experience would be significant for them and I still think that is something that can be utilised for the benefit of the team.”
If Compper fails to impress and if Boyata’s head is turned – both seem very possible outcomes – then John Terry could well be the short term solution as Celtic strive to get through these 4 European ties and into the Champions League.
