Mika Baur on the demands of playing for Celtic
Mika Baur is slowly but surely getting used to the incredible demands of playing for Celtic. The German international spoke after his best performance so far on Thursday night’s victory over Besiktas in the Europa League…
The German international has spoke of the demands of playing three times a week, but is adamant he’s enjoying the hectic schedule.
Baur getting used to Celtic’s intense playing schedule
“To play every three days is different for me,” the midfielder said, to the mainstream media after Celtic’s 3-2 victory over Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday evening. “I think I have played the same amount of games now that I had last season by the winter break.
“But I like it. That’s what you want. You want to play all the time, more playing than training. I am really enjoying it. And I think the pressure to win is a good kind of pressure. It’s better than (trying) not to lose. So I really enjoy it,” Baur stated, as reported by Scottish Sun.
“First of all, I want to work hard for the team, for myself, that I can prove myself and I can play on the stage, help the team, put in a shift, hard work,” he said.
Baur impressed once again in the 3-2 Europa League win over Besiktas, and not just due to his skill and technical ability but his overall pressing and battling attributes as the hoops fought to a hard earned win.
“I was really happy that it was appreciated,” Mika Baur
He added: “That’s what I have to do first. And then after this, the skill comes, playing with the ball. But first of all, it’s showing heart on the field. I was really happy that it was appreciated.
“The second half was pure heart, pure fight,” Baur said. “I’m not here for a long time, but I think that’s what it’s all about. This win feels unbelievable because we deserved it. We fought for it.
“The team is really, really close together. We know that we had a tough couple of weeks, but you can feel it in the training sessions, how the team is working together, the feeling, the believing is always there.
Baur acknowledges the Celtic support – “They gave us a lot of energy”
“And it was there on the pitch. That’s what we have to show week by week, every three days.
“It was not just our win. The atmosphere was great. I’m really, really thankful for every supporter in the stadium. They gave us a lot of energy. We all fight together. That makes me happy.”
It certainly was a memorable night at Celtic Park and a notable victory against a decent Turkish outfit that probably thought that the points were there for the taking after Celtic’s earlier turmoils in European football this season.
Next two Europa League matches are winnable and Celtic need to get maximum points
Celtic has four remaining matches in the Europa League and probably will be looking for another nine points to guarantee qualification, although seven may be enough.
The next two matches, away to Portuguese minnows Torreense on 26 November and Omonia Nicosia on 10 December will be matches that Martin O’Neill will be looking for six points to take Celtic in to the two January fixtures still in with a shout.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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