MARVIN COMPPER insists his best years are still ahead of him as he looks for trophy success at Celtic.
The 32-year-old centre-half joined the Parkhead side on a two-and-a-half-year deal and will offer the likes of Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic competition for places in the heart of defence.
Despite his age and international experience with the German national team, Compper has yet to lift a major trophy in his career, something he is understandably keen to do in Scotland.
Read more: Marvin Compper: Hoffenheim rise and fall taught that with success comes responsibility
And he insists he still feels he has plenty more in his legs as he hones his attention on chasing down silverware with Celtic now he's returned from Dubai with his new team-mates.
He said: “When you’ve still got the legs, when you’re still in shape and still have the experience, it’s a good mix.
“I hope that I can keep up my fitness as long as possible. That mix and balance can give me my best two or three years.
“I think I’m in good shape, but I can be in better shape because I had a longer break than the others. I need a few days, maybe a couple of weeks, we will see about that. But I’ll be fine.”
Compper comes from a club with Champions League experience in the form of RB Leipzig, but he admits he still feels he has more to prove in the competition.
He said: “Yeah, I’ve played in the Champions League now, but I want to be a starter in the Champions League. I want to show that I can play there at a high level and have high performances.
“You have to ask the manager [what my role will be], but I’m 32 and have experience. I know the way we are playing and it’s similar to what I was used to in Germany.
“I still have the legs and I can bring a balance to the team with this and being able to talk and organise on the pitch.”
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Teams in the Ladbrokes Premiership have attempted to unsettle the Celtic defence in recent matches by playing a high-pressing game, but this is something Compper insists won’t be an issue to him.
“I am used to different styles, so if a team stays deeper or presses high, it’s the same,” he said.
“There are weaknesses in every system to find and it’s all about that. The coaching staff does a great job as far as I have seen to prepare the team.
“The welcome of the gaffer and the stadium impressed me when I first got to Glasgow. It’s really nice and while I wasn’t surprised, the first time you see something, it makes an impression and that was a good impression.
“The atmosphere of the game with Rangers was very good and it was just a pity we couldn’t win, but all in all it was a nice experience. It’s a game which is watched worldwide. I have played in big games already in my career, but it is always something that motivates and drives you.”
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