NEW Celtic star Marvin Compper has revealed he’s so desperate to hit the ground running at Parkhead that he’s read Brendan Rodgers’ autobiography and has swotted up on the history of the Hoops.

The champions snapped up 32-year-old defender Compper for 
£1million from RB Leipzig in this transfer window.

And the Germany international – who reckons Celtic would be challenging for a European place if they played in the Bundesliga – has done his research before moving to Scotland.

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He said: “For me, it is part of dealing with a new employer - you need to know their history.

“For example, I know Billy McNeill is the record appearance holder with 822 games. He was captain in 1967 when Celtic won the European Cup in Lisbon. The Celtic fans always sing about that day in the 67th minute.

“I know Celtic have won 48 championships and 37 Scottish Cups and I know Celtic Park holds 60,000 fans.

“I’ve also read Brendan Rodgers’ autobiography. He was an ardent Celtic fan from an early age, lives and loves this club.

“Celtic play in a similar style to RB Leipzig. They like to pass on the ground, no aimless balls forward and they press their opponents.

“I am here to help the younger players in the team with my experience, especially in European games.

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“I know we will have to get through four qualifying rounds next season to reach the Champions League.

“But I believe if Celtic played in the Bundesliga, they would be between fifth and seventh place.

“Doing my research on Celtic is all part of the process and respecting the manager.

“When I went to Brendan Rodgers’ home for breakfast, he had gluten-free bread and lactose-free cereal. And then he showed me an eight-page dossier about me. 

“He knew everything about me, knew my taste for healthy food and even the age of my wife and children. So research is important.”

But Compper admitted he would have stayed in Germany if he had a role to play at Leipzig.

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He said: “I was a regular and an important factor in a season in which we became runners-up. 

“But this season, I played no role at all. That’s hard to deal with. If I had played just ten games, I would have been satisfied.

“I wanted to finish my career at RB in two or three years and then stay with the club, for example doing some youth coaching.

“But I was left without anything to do and that was difficult. I kept my dignity and continued to work hard though.

“When Celtic called, finances did not play a part. 

“They have neither deteriorated or improved. It was about the project.

“Now I am counting down the days to Celtic’s training camp in Dubai. I cannot wait.”