Celtic midfielder Mika Baur has received a call-up to the Germany senior squad from manager Jürgen Klopp. The 20 year old is in line to win his first cap during this week’s Nations League fixtures. The Mika Baur Germany call-up comes just months after his move to Celtic Park, and it has taken even Baur himself by surprise.
Mika Baur earns surprise senior Germany call-up after Celtic move
Baur admits he never expected the jump to come so quickly. Speaking about the news, he said his move north had always felt like a big step, but not one that would lead straight to a Germany call-up.
Until I got the phone call about a call-up, playing for Germany felt very distant and far away. I knew that Celtic was the next step in my career, but I didn’t expect it to be such a big step. It was just as surprising for me, probably as it was for all of you, that I’m here!
That honesty will strike a chord with supporters who’ve watched Baur settle into life at Celtic Park in a matter of months. Few would have predicted a senior Germany call-up arriving this early in his time at the club, and Baur himself sounds almost as taken aback as everyone else.
Jürgen Klopp cuts squad to 25 as Baur targets historic debut
Klopp named an initial 44 man squad for this international window before trimming his selection down to 25 players. Baur made that final cut. He could now become the first Celtic player to represent Germany since Andreas Hinkel, should he feature against Serbia in Munich on Wednesday. Hinkel won his last cap 17 years ago.
Nothing is confirmed about his involvement, and Baur is clear that a first cap has to be earned rather than assumed. He’s staying grounded about what comes next.
I’m trying to absorb everything here. Of course, you want to make a name for yourself, leave your mark, ideally play and ultimately get some minutes. But I have to earn them. We’re a sports-mad family. My brother plays youth football in Freiburg too and he’s also very good at it.
International recognition highlights Celtic’s tactical impact
Baur’s rise says plenty about the role he has carved out under Brendan Rodgers this season, and it fits neatly with our recent derby preview of Celtic’s midfield options. It also follows a growing pattern at Celtic Park. Our coverage of recent international call-ups shows just how many Celtic players are catching the eye of national team managers this season.
Baur’s background helps explain his temperament under pressure. His father, Markus Baur, won 228 caps for Germany in handball and lifted both European and World Championship titles in that sport.
We didn’t sit around the table and say, ‘you play handball, you play football.’ Instead, everyone did what they wanted to do. That worked out quite well. What my father did was a huge achievement. It’s not like if I don’t reach that level, my career is for nothing. Of course, we all want to win, to win all the titles. But he can be proud of that because not everyone achieves that.
Germany prepare for Serbia clash ahead of Greece trip
Germany host Serbia in Munich on Wednesday before travelling to face Greece in their second fixture of the window. Baur’s father won’t make the trip to Munich, but he plans to be present for the Greece match, and he’s already passed on some fatherly advice.
He won’t be there for the Serbia game, but he will be coming to Greece for the second game. His advice was to have fun and smile a lot. Don’t get too excited and take it easy. In the end, it’s football and it’s about having fun. But of course I want to show what I stand for and who I am – far more than just the son of a World and European Champion.
For now, Celtic fans will simply be hoping to see Baur handed his chance against Serbia. If Klopp does turn to him in Munich, it would mark the first Germany appearance by a Celtic player since Hinkel’s cap 17 years ago. That would cap off a remarkable few months for the midfielder. Further detail on the quotes above can be found in the original Daily Record interview.
