Celtic midfielder Mika Baur has broken his silence on a call-up that few saw coming.
The 22-year-old has been named in Jurgen Klopp’s Germany squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, and he has openly admitted the news left him surprised.
Baur joined the Hoops from Paderborn in the summer and has been an ever-present figure in midfield ever since.
His rapid rise at Parkhead appears to have caught the eye of the national team manager far sooner than even he expected.
The young German has represented Die Mannschaft at almost every youth level. Now he stands on the brink of a full senior debut that would make him the first Celtic player to feature for Germany since Andreas Hinkel in 2009.
A Call-Up That Caught Everyone Off Guard
When the phone rang with news of his inclusion, Baur could hardly believe it. He described the moment with refreshing honesty in his first comments since the squad was announced.
“Until I got the phone call about a call-up, playing for Germany felt very distant and far away,” he explained. “I knew that Celtic was the next step in my career, but I didn’t expect it to be such a big step.”
Those words capture the scale of the jump he has made in a matter of months. Moving from the German second tier to the intensity of Scottish football and European competition has clearly accelerated his development.
Baur was quick to stress that the surprise was mutual. “It was just as surprising for me, probably as it was for all of you, that I’m here,” he added. “I’m trying to absorb everything here.”
How Celtic Transformed His Path
Since arriving in Glasgow in August, Baur has started almost every match. He has effectively filled the midfield vacancy created when Arne Engels departed for West Ham United.
His ability to control tempo, press high and link play has made him a key part of Celtic’s engine room. Supporters have watched him grow in confidence with every outing at Celtic Park and on the road.
That consistency has not gone unnoticed in Germany. Klopp selected a larger than usual 44-man squad for the extended international break, and Baur’s name was among those retained for the decisive phase of the Nations League campaign.
Germany face Serbia at home before travelling to Greece. Baur remains available for both fixtures and will be desperate to earn minutes.
The Record He Is Ready to Break
Should Baur feature against either Serbia or Greece, he will etch his name into Celtic history. No German player has represented the national team while at the club since Andreas Hinkel achieved the feat seventeen years ago.
That long gap underlines how rare this moment is. Celtic have produced many international players over the decades, yet German caps have remained elusive until now.
Baur is fully aware of the opportunity in front of him. “Of course, you want to make a name for yourself, leave your mark, ideally play and ultimately get some minutes,” he said. “But I have to earn them.”
His approach is measured and mature. There is no sense of entitlement, only a determination to prove he belongs at this level.
Tactical Fit and Recent Form
Celtic have shown mixed results in recent weeks, but Baur’s influence has rarely dipped. He has provided balance in midfield during both domestic and European fixtures, often covering large distances and winning key duels.
His reading of the game allows the more creative players around him greater freedom. That reliability has helped the side maintain structure even when results have been harder to come by.
In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic continue to sit near the top of the table. Every point matters in a tight title race, and Baur’s presence has given the coaching staff greater options when rotating the squad.
Fans have taken notice of his work rate and composure. Online discussions frequently praise his ability to adapt so quickly to the physical demands of Scottish football.
A Sporting Family That Inspires
Baur does not come from an ordinary background. His father, Markus Baur, is a genuine legend of German handball. The elder Baur won 228 caps and lifted the World Championship trophy in 2007.
That level of achievement sets a high bar, yet Mika is careful not to let it define him. He spoke warmly about the sporting culture that shaped him and his younger brother Kimi, who currently plays youth football at SC Freiburg.
“We’re a sports-mad family,” Baur explained. “My brother plays youth football in Freiburg too and he’s also very good at it. We didn’t sit around the table and say, ‘you play handball, you play football.’ Instead, everyone did what they wanted to do.”
That freedom appears to have served the family well. Both sons have carved paths in football while remaining deeply respectful of their father’s handball success.
Fatherly Advice That Keeps Him Grounded
When the call-up news broke, Markus Baur offered simple but powerful guidance. He will not be present for the Serbia match but plans to travel to Greece for the second fixture.
His message to his son was clear. “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.”
Baur has taken those words to heart. At the same time he is determined to stand on his own two feet. “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.”
That balance between pride and independence will serve him well in the pressure cooker of international football.
What This Means for Celtic and Germany
For Celtic, the call-up represents another success story in their recruitment strategy. Signing a relatively unheralded midfielder from Paderborn and watching him reach senior international level within months is a significant endorsement of the club’s scouting and development work.
Supporters have reacted with a mixture of pride and excitement. Many have taken to social media to congratulate Baur and express hope that he can force his way into Klopp’s plans for the Nations League matches.
On the German side, Klopp’s decision to include a player still adapting to life in Scotland shows a willingness to look beyond the usual Bundesliga and Premier League names. The expanded squad gives younger talents a genuine chance to impress.
Baur knows the competition will be fierce. He has no guarantees of minutes, only the opportunity to train with the best and make a case for selection.
Looking Ahead to Serbia and Greece
The home fixture against Serbia offers the first chance for Baur to experience the atmosphere of a senior Germany match. Even if he remains on the bench, the experience of being around the squad will accelerate his learning.
The away trip to Greece presents a different challenge. Away internationals often demand greater mental strength, and the presence of his father in the stands could provide an extra emotional boost.
Whatever happens over the coming days, Baur has already achieved something special. A player who felt senior international football was a distant dream is now living it.
His story is a reminder that career trajectories can change quickly when talent meets the right environment. Celtic provided that platform, and Klopp has responded.
Fan Reaction and the Bigger Picture
Across Celtic supporter forums and social channels, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many fans have highlighted how quickly Baur settled into the team and how his performances justified the faith shown in him.
Some have pointed out the contrast with previous seasons when midfield depth was a recurring concern. Baur’s arrival and subsequent call-up have eased those worries, at least for now.
Others have noted the historical angle. Breaking a seventeen-year wait for a German international to appear for the national team while at Celtic feels significant to the club’s global identity.
There is also quiet optimism that this could be the start of a longer association with the German setup. Consistent club form will be essential if Baur is to turn this first call-up into regular selection.
A Mature Head on Young Shoulders
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Baur’s response has been his attitude. There is no sense of arrival or entitlement. Instead he talks about earning every minute and absorbing the experience.
That mindset will serve him well whether he plays against Serbia and Greece or continues to push for opportunities in future camps. International football is unforgiving, and only those who stay grounded tend to thrive long-term.
His father’s advice about smiling and enjoying the game may prove the most valuable of all. In the intensity of senior international football, keeping perspective can be as important as any tactical instruction.
Baur has already shown he can handle the physical and technical demands at Celtic. Now he faces the next test of character on the biggest stage available to him.
Conclusion: A Breakthrough Moment
Mika Baur’s call-up is more than a personal milestone. It is a statement about Celtic’s ability to develop talent and a signal that Jurgen Klopp is prepared to reward form wherever it is found.
The midfielder himself remains focused on the immediate task. He wants to leave a mark, earn minutes and prove he belongs among Germany’s elite.
Whether or not he steps onto the pitch in the coming days, the journey from Paderborn to Parkhead to a senior Germany squad has already been remarkable. For a player who once felt international football was far away, the distance has suddenly closed.
Celtic fans will watch with pride. German supporters will watch with curiosity. And Baur himself will simply try to enjoy the moment, just as his father advised.