On 20 December 2017, Celtic had announced that Marvin Compper would be joining the club in the winter transfer window from Red Bull Leipzig.
The defender was signed by Brendan Rodgers for a fee of just over £1million, per Transfermarkt, as The Bhoys looked to bolster their defensive options.
Fans had taken to Twitter to declare their delight about securing a transfer for the one-time Germany international with many believing he would turn out to be an excellent acquisition.
One had mentioned that they had felt Compper would sort out the defence, whilst another had expected the player to turn out to be a brilliant signing for the club.
Here are some of the reactions…
Think Compper will turn out a brilliant signing
— evan (@evanreilly15) December 20, 2017
Ajer beside Compper an our defence is sorted btw
— Paul Boyle (@PaulB_67) 20 December 2017
Compper singing can only be a positive for me. He’s played 211 top flight games in Italy and Germany, and nearly 400 games in total.
Celtic’s current CB’s Career Games
Sviatchenko: 193
Boyata: 116
Simunovic: 137Adding experience to a inexperienced back line can only be good.
— Chairman Lmao (@BenTheTim) December 20, 2017
Looking forward to seeing Compper play, think he will be great domestically, exactly what we’re needing. Still confused about Europa League though.
— Ryan Fitzsimons (@RyanStevenF) December 20, 2017
Exactly the kind of guy we need to steady the ship. Hopefully get a good few years out of him.
— Seánybhoy (@Argyll68) December 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/RonnieJM67/status/943453486200565760
Go Compper, Go Compper without a doubt you’ll be a star with Go Compper. HH
— Brian Kelly (@BrianKelly1967) 20 December 2017
Oh, how wrong could they have been?! Compper’s time at Celtic has been blighted by injury and despite returning to fitness, obviously appears to be frozen out of Rodgers’ plans at the club.
The 33-year-old has played in just one match for the Scottish Premiership champions since arriving 12 months ago which came in a cup tie against Morton.
Compper publicly slammed his manager for not playing him, telling German media that he was “training very well” and his “team-mates do not understand” why he does not play.
It is understood that the German had the opportunity to leave in the summer but turned it down as he wanted to fight for his place in the team.
However, things obviously have not improved for him and he has since continued to remain far down the pecking order, even if the Hoops have defensive concerns.
With fans so hyped for the arrival of Compper originally, there may be a case of what could have been, but in all likelihood, he will have to go down as one of Rodgers’ biggest transfer errors at Celtic.
Celtic fans – thoughts?
