MARVIN COMPPER has spoken to a German newspaper ahead of Celtic’s trip to Germany to play RB Leipzig on Thursday evening and his comments are unlikely to impress manager Brendan Rodgers or indeed anyone at Celtic.
The former Leipzig defender was speaking to the German newspaper Bild-Zeitung about Celtic chances on Thursday – he expects us to get beat – and he revealed that Celtic wanted him to leave the club back in August.
But unfortunately Compper – who has played just 81 minutes for Celtic since arriving in January (it was a Scottish Cup match back in March against Morton) – decided that he was going nowhere and reckons that he has got himself fit and should be given his chance by the manager.
After this interview that remote prospect seems even more unlikely. Let’s have a look at what the German defender had to say.
“Some think Salzburg will be stronger than Leipzig, but I do not believe that.
“I hope we take something from the game but it will be very difficult for us.
“We do not defend well, the gaps are not right. If we play against Leipzig like the last time we played in the Europa League, then we’ll lose.
“We won against Hibernian in the last league game. For the league, our individual quality suffices.
“But it will be difficult in Europe. Leigh Griffiths is injured, so we have only one striker in Odsonne Edouard.
“He is a talent but he needs stability.”
On his own position at the club, Compper reckons he is being poorly treated by the manager.
“I’m fit and I train very well.
“Even my team-mates do not understand why I do not play.
“In the summer I had a calf injury. I got an athletic trainer and a physio at my own expense and made myself fit.
“Now it is up to the coach Brendan Rodgers to finally give me the trust.
“I still have a contract until 2020, but of course I do not want to sit on the bench.
“In August, Celtic suggested to me about a change of club. But I do not want to move on so easily.
“I hope for my chance and want to play.”
