DEFENDER Marvin Compper has finally taken the hint by setting his sights on a January move from Celtic.
The veteran German defender arrived at the start of this year after Celtic forked out £1.5million to RB Leipzig. The player got injured almost straight away but was fit enough to play in the Scottish Cup tie against Morton in March. The Celtic Star had an exclusive that day saying that he’d be making his debut but what we didn’t know was that those 81 minutes of match day action in a Celtic shirt would represent his entire playing career in the Hoops.
Compper complained before the recent away match against his old club Leipzig that he was fit and ready to play and that he had hired his own fitness instructor to help get back to full fitness. However he was told by Brendan Rodgers in the summer that he would not be part of the manager’s plans and that he should look for a new club if he wanted to play.
Now Compper has decided that his time is indeed up at Celtic and will now try to fix up a move in January. That will be greeted with a huge sigh of relief from Brendan Rodgers who took the blame for the signing at this week’s AGM.
“As the leader of the team I will always assume responsibility for every single player who comes in to the club,” the Celtic manager told the meeting.
“Marvin was brought in at a time when I thought we needed experience to help us with the young centre halves we had. Unfortunately he came in January and within his first week picked up an injury.
“Really since that moment he has struggled for fitness. In that period other players have come in and performed well. So if you want to blame someone blame me as it is just one of those unfortunate things.”
Now Compper has spoken about his desire to continue playing and realises that there is no longer any prospect of him ever being selected to play for Celtic again.
“Unfortunately, I do not play much of a role with our manager and that’s why I want to take a look around during the winter break,” Compper said to the media.
“Whether it will be in the Bundesliga, I do not know. I’m pretty open.
“Although I will be 34 in the summer, I still have a lot in the tank.
“Unfortunately, I cannot show it at Celtic.
“Right now, it’s about looking to where I can continue my career. In any case, I can still play for two more years.
“I just want to keep playing football elsewhere.”
Also on The Celtic Star today…
‘There were Celtic fans in three sides of Ibrox within a 42,000 crowd,’ Matt Corr…See HERE.
‘Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink rose like a bird,’ David Potter…See HERE.
‘It’s not an ideal scenario,’ Brendan on Ibrox ticket restrictions…See HERE.
Jim Craig – Tommy Callaghan scores on his Celtic debut…See HERE.
