Celtic’s latest signing, defender Marvin Compper, is an impressive individual. He is fluent in four languages and proficient in another two, including Russian. Although he admits he may have to train his ear to the unique staccato of Glaswegian. But it is on the field that the 32-year-old feels he could do with brushing up his CV.

Despite an impressive career spent mainly in Germany, which yielded a cap for the German national side in 2008, as well as coming close to Champions League football with Fiorentina in a year-and-a-half spent playing in Serie A, he has yet to win a title medal. Something he is eager to remedy as soon as possible.

The prospect of Celtic securing the Scottish Premiership for a seventh successive season may already be something of a foregone conclusion, whether they prised the experienced Compper away from RB Leipzig or not, but he is determined to help shore up a defence that has looked porous of late, and help his new side over the line.

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And it is that chance to lift a top-flight trophy for the first time as well as the opportunity to work with Brendan Rodgers, which were the main drivers behind the 32-year-old deciding to take on this challenge at this stage in his career.

His desire to test himself by learning Russian is a glimpse into the mindset of Compper, who even at his relatively advanced age in football terms, sees a chance to improve his own game at Celtic Park.

“I want to add silverware,” said Compper. “This is what this club is all about. And I want to show the Scottish people what I am capable of.

“I was second place in the Coppa Italia but to win something and to get a title would be good because I have never done that. That is a big goal for me at Celtic and for the club.

“In general, I am a person who wants to learn and improve. [By learning] Russian, I was looking for a challenge.

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“I started to take private lessons and I did that for about a year. But if you don’t have anyone to talk to it is difficult to progress.

“But you can always improve. When you stop improving then you step backwards. I am looking to learn from the gaffer and my team mates.

“It is another country and style of football, but I also know a lot because I have played in Italy and Germany. I have played a lot of games and they can also learn from me. It is going to work both ways.”

Compper still had a year-and-a-half to run on his contract at RB Leipzig, but having found himself on the sidelines more often than not due to the impressive performances of young centre-back Dayot Upamecano, he was keen to test himself elsewhere.

And a conversation last week with Brendan Rodgers last week persuaded him immediately that Celtic would be the ideal fit for him, and vice-versa.

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“Leipzig is known for giving young players a shot and supporting them, and this is what happened this year,” he said.

“I played a big role last season in reaching the Champions League, and this season the gaffer decided to give the young lad a chance, and he took that chance. This is how football works.

“Nevertheless, I still played a big role in the team with my experience. I’m a player who tries to improve and I brought that to training at Leipzig every day.

“I bring a high intensity and a focus, and that is very important if you want to improve, not only in games, but in the training sessions.

“In the last couple of months, I still brought that, even if I wasn’t playing so much.

“I think Brendan Rodgers is a great manager. He was at Liverpool before, and he has a lot of experience even though he is still young.

“He has this drive to get better himself, and it’s going to be so interesting for me to see that and to feel that. We will see how the improvements will come.

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“He has a different perspective on me, because we’ve never worked together and now he will see me every day on the pitch. He will pick up on areas where he thinks I can improve.

“He is very good at communicating with players and making them better, and he has shown that in his time here already. I hope to gain some insights. He was absolutely a big factor in coming here.”

Compper cannot play in this season’s Europa League after turning out for RB Leipzig in the Champions League against Besiktas this term already, but he is already setting his sights on the continent’s premier competition for next season, believing he can help Celtic cope against the elite.

"That should be the goal for a club like Celtic,” he said.

"They are playing in the Europa League this season, but Celtic have already said they want to do better in the Champions League next season. This team should always reach for higher goals.

"I have played in a lot of big important and difficult games.

"If you play Bayern Munich, and Celtic experienced that for themselves in the Champions League, and it doesn't come much more difficult than that.

"Playing the likes of Dortmund in front of 83,000 those are real challenges.

"I think I have enough big game experience and in that area, I am well equipped.

"I am eager to gain more.”