It is fair to say the signing of Marvin Compper from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig was not welcomed by each and every Celtic fan.
Celtic fans understandably had a few concerns when the club announced the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Marvin Compper last month.
The classy defender had spent the entire first half of the season out of favour with Ralf Hassenhutl’s side, making just two Bundesliga appearances. And, at the age of 32, his best years appeared to be behind him over a decade after he won his one and only Germany cap in a 2-1 defeat to England in Berlin.
Had Celtic signed a short-term, stop-gap solution rather than a player who could marshal their defence for years to come? Another Kolo Toure perhaps?
Well, Rodgers does not seem to think so. Speaking to the Scottish Sun, the Northern Irishman has suggested that Compper could stick around for quite a while; particularly as Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko have been linked increasingly with a move away.
“I think Marvin was the natural (addition). With the possibility of losing one of our centre-halves, I thought it was important to bring someone not just for now, but for the next few years,” the Celtic manager said of his £1million man.
Considering that Celtic have tied the ball-playing Compper down for two-and-a-half years, it appears that they feel he has plenty of life left in him despite his advancing years.
Compper may have lost a yard of pace but Rodgers will be hoping that his ability to build attacks from the back means he has a lot of longevity at Parkhead.
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