Marvin Compper was backed on Tuesday night to be an ideal defensive acquisition for Celtic after arriving in Scotland to finalise a £1million move.
The 32-year-old RB Leipzig centre back flew into Edinburgh Airport at lunchtime on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of agreeing what it is expected to be a two-and-a-half year contract.
Providing there are no late hitches, Compper will become Brendan Rodgers’ first January signing and link up with the Parkhead squad when they begin their winter training camp in Dubai early next month.
Marvin Compper arrived in Scotland on Tuesday to finalise a £1million transfer to Celtic
The 32-year-old RB Leipzig centre back is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year contract
Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies believes the ex-Fiorentina and Hoffenheim man – who has one full Germany cap – has both the experience and ability to fit with Rodgers’ style of play.
‘From what I’ve seen, he is a guy who fits the profile of what we would like in a central defender,’ said Davies.
‘He is used to playing a high defensive line, he is technically good on the ball, athletic and fast. He understands the model of play we like. Again, we will see if it does go through.
‘Bringing someone in with pedigree is always interesting and if it happens it will improve us a team.
The ex-Fiorentina and Hoffenheim player would be Brendan Rodgers’ first January signing
‘If it happens, then it’s someone who’s experienced. You need a balance in your squad rather than too much either way.
‘You saw the benefits of having Kolo Toure last season, with the experience he has. We’ve got guys like Craig Gordon, Broony (Scott Brown) our captain, guys with experience.
‘It’s not something we are lacking but it’s good to have that balance.’
Davies stressed that the signing of Compper, who would be ineligible to face Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League, would be in tandem with support for the club’s existing centre-back options.
Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata both endured miserable personal displays as Celtic’s record 69-match domestic unbeaten run came to a crushing end in last Sunday’ s 4-0 defeat at Tynecastle.
‘He is used to playing a high defensive line, he is technically good on the ball,’ said Davies
‘We’re talking to him and he’s obviously arrived in the country,’ said Davies of Compper.
‘Our recruitment has looked at all areas of the pitch. He’s a player being spoken about now and he’s a centre half, so it is an area we’re looking at.
‘We strengthen where is needed but we share the success together at this football club. At Hampden everyone was on the podium, from the players to the kit-men.
‘We’re together when we win and we are together when we suffer a setback. That’s the culture we have and the manager gets everyone together in these moments.
‘That area of the pitch has been highlighted and we want to support those guys. It wasn’t just an isolated area, we could have been better all over the pitch.’