Compper claims Celtic want him to leave, teammates can’t understand Rodgers not picking him

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Celtic signed Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig in January.

Celtic defender Marvin Compper has told Bild that the club wanted him to leave in August – but he doesn’t want to move on so easily as he bids for first-team football.

In January of this year, Celtic were in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, and a veteran centre back to solidify Brendan Rodgers’ back four, especially in Europe.

Rodgers decided to snap up Compper from RB Leipzig, handing the 33-year-old a two-and-a-half-year deal, with his experience key in Celtic’s move to sign him.

Having turned out for Borussia Monchengladbach, Hoffenheim and Fiorentina before playing a key part in Leipzig’s rise, Compper looked to be a solid addition – but his time in Glasgow has been a nightmare.

The veteran defender has played just once for Celtic and has barely been seen since his move to Parkhead, even with some defensive options for Rodgers earlier this season.

With Filip Benkovic signed on loan from Leicester City in August, Compper hasn’t been given a chance at all this season, and ahead of Celtic’s game against his former club Leipzig, Compper has opened up.

Speaking to Bild in his native Germany, Compper has revealed that he is fit to play and paid for an athletic trainer and physio to get himself ready for playing time this season.

Compper added that his teammates can’t understand why he isn’t being picked by Rodgers, with the defender taking a swipe at the Celtic boss by suggesting he may not trust him, and even revealed that Celtic wanted him to leave in August – but he refuses to move on.

“I’m fit and I train very well,” said Compper. “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,” he added.