Spooked by the ghost of Compper

Clearly Brendan Rodgers bought Marvin Compper to the club in January because he felt he needed cover and experience in central defence, most probably for these Champions League qualification games.  He has now picked up another injury.  Despite plans clearly remaining unfulfilled, we are in a good position to travel to Trondheim this week, but despite confidence ahead of the Rosenborg game, the ghost of Compper spooks me.

Jozo Simunovic is fit, for now, although paying the price for an uncontrolled action.  Dedryck Boyata will return to the starting line-up soon, but with less than a year on his contract, I expect the big man’s agent will be busy marking cards elsewhere.  Kris Ajer and Jack Hendry have been holding fort, but the job Compper was recruited to do is not being done.

Two years ago we brought in Kolo Toure.  The big Ivorian was well past his prime and soon found the rigours of regular football too much, but he brought a calm to the team in the qualifiers, especially in a fraught night in Be’er Sheva.

I know coaches are reluctant to be pushed into making short term signings but this is one time it is advisable.