Mika Baur on how Celtic move earned him call up for Germany

The Celtic midfielder has spoken of his delight at earning a call up to the full German national side, and feels that his summer move to Celtic helped him achieve that dream. Baur has been selected in Jurgen Klopp’s 40 man squad, and is in contention to earn his first international cap in the upcoming nation league fixtures.

Mika Baur said: “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.”

He acknowledges the challenge ahead. “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.”

The young Celtic player comes from a sports-enthusiastic family, but there was no pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps.

He said via BBC 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.”

Now the Celtic star is desperate to get his chance and follow in the international footsteps of his dad Markus Baur, who won 228 caps for Germany and helped his country to European and World Championship glory in handball. Mika holds his father’s achievements in high regard but is determined to forge his own path.

“What my father did was a huge achievement. It’s not like if I don’t reach that level, my career is for nothing.”

His dad’s advice was simple: enjoy the game. Baur said: “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.”

Germany are due to play Serbia in Munich later this evening, and Baur will be hoping to play a part at some stage as he bids to earn his first full international cap.

Best of luck Mika.