Marvin Compper has delivered a passionate advert for life in Glasgow- emphasising that he is in ino rush to walk away from his hoops contract.
The 33-year-old is at best Celtic’s sixth choice central defender, taking his place behind Filip Benkovic, Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic, Kris Ajer and Jack Hendry.
So far this season Compper hasn’t played a single minute of first team or reserve action despite Celtic’s defensive problems.
The former RB Leipzig defender did suffer an injury in pre-season but despite his playing prospects falling off a cliff life off the park couldn’t be any better.
He told Bild: “In my private life, the family has settled really well. We have rented a house just outside Glasgow overlooking a beautiful panorama.
“A hilly landscape begins after a river and this is really idyllic. On the way to training, I drop my son off at school every day. Everything fits in.
“Glasgow itself is a working-class city with a rough charm that I like. The west end is a hip student area where you can eat really well. The culture is different but it always takes a while to get used to a new country.
“There are small details like when we arrive at training in the morning. In Germany, it is common that you greet everyone with a handshake.
“In Scotland, nobody greets you with a handshake. It’s not even obvious that you greet each other at all but this is not meant to be rude. The interaction between people is different and you have to adapt.
“The people in Scotland are extremely helpful. The help they give you comes from the heart.
“People don’t demand anything back for doing something for you. They like to do it.
“I have signed here for two-and-a-half years and I want to see out my contract. I will be here until summer at least. If I have not played any role by then, we can always look again.
“But my wish is to fulfil my contract and play games. I moved to Glasgow to experience being on the field for this club.
“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is amazing — the best I have ever experienced, especially when the floodlights are on.
“The only thing missing for me is playing time.”
Celtic fly out to Leipzig this afternoon to face RB in the Europa League with Compper left behind to watch on telly.
The 33-year-old was left out of Celtic’s Europa League squad and hasn’t surfaced since making a 45 minute appearance against Standard Liege in pre-season.
Rodgers will be forced to change his central defence for Sunday against Hearts in the Betfred Cup due to Dedryck Boyata’s suspension but will turn to Simunovic or Hendry to fill in for the Belgian.
