- Mika Baur expresses delight over earning his maiden call-up to the full Germany national team following his summer transfer to Celtic.
- The 22-year-old midfielder was selected in manager Jürgen Klopp’s expanded 40-man squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
- Baur admits that playing for his country felt distant while he was competing in lower tiers, acknowledging that moving to Glasgow elevated his career profile.
- Germany boss Jürgen Klopp has described the Celtic player as a “really exciting” prospect while managing an experimental squad pool.
- The player comes from a sports-enthusiastic family background but faced no direct pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Celtic Park (Glasgow Express) October 1, 2026 — Celtic midfielder Mika Baur has spoken candidly about his astonishment and delight after receiving his first senior call-up to the German national team. As reported by Goal, the 22-year-old playmaker feels that his high-profile summer switch from German club Paderborn to the Scottish Premiership side played a decisive role in making his international ambitions a reality. Baur is included in Jürgen Klopp’s extensive 40-man squad selection and finds himself in immediate contention to earn his debut international cap during upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mika Baur stated in published remarks:
“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 further acknowledged the immense challenge ahead of him within the elite national setup, adding:
“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.”
What led to Mika Baur catching Jürgen Klopp’s attention?
The young midfielder’s rapid ascent to the senior international stage follows a standout period of development. Prior to his transfer to Glasgow, Baur featured heavily for Paderborn, where his influential performances helped anchor their successful push for promotion into the Bundesliga. Although a normal period of athletic adaptation was anticipated following his arrival in Scottish football, his early-season displays for the Hoops instantly captured the scouting eye of newly appointed Germany manager Jürgen Klopp.
As detailed by LiveScore, Jürgen Klopp has already publicly praised the Celtic midfielder, describing him as a “really exciting” talent. Klopp has implemented a broader selection strategy for the international fixtures, utilizing an expanded squad pool to evaluate emerging players. Following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Greece, Klopp defended his younger squad selections and urged observers to show patience. As noted by LiveScore, Jürgen Klopp stated regarding public scrutiny:
“There’s no reason for me to fall into depression and say: we’re so bad. We’re not. But we’re also not that good. I don’t want the players to be judged conclusively: this one can’t do this or that. If you want to criticise someone, do it with me. Let the new ones develop.”
How does Baur’s family background influence his career?
Away from the immediate spotlight of domestic and international football, Baur stems from a deeply sports-enthusiastic family environment. Despite growing up surrounded by athletic pursuits, the midfielder has noted that there was never any heavy familial pressure placed upon him to replicate his father’s footsteps, allowing him to forge his own organic path through the youth ranks of German football and ultimately onto the European stage with Celtic.
Background of the Development
The recent inclusion of a Scottish Premiership-based player into the senior German national setup marks a notable shift in international scouting visibility. Historically, major footballing nations like Germany predominantly selected players from domestic top-flight leagues such as the Bundesliga or other major continental European competitions. Mika Baur’s transfer from German 2. Bundesliga side Paderborn to Celtic for a reported fee of approximately £7 million shifted his professional profile. Participating in European club competitions and high-pressure domestic fixtures in Glasgow provided him with the necessary platform to prove his capabilities directly under the observation of high-profile national team management.
Prediction
This development serves as a significant boost for Celtic FC and the wider Scottish Premiership ecosystem. For the club’s supporters and recruitment department, having a player earn a senior Germany national team call while playing in Glasgow validates the league’s capacity to elevate elite player profiles. Looking forward, this precedent can positively influence future transfer negotiations, acting as a persuasive incentive for ambitious young continental talents who might otherwise overlook Scottish football out of concern over international visibility. If Baur secures competitive minutes under Jürgen Klopp, it could pave the way for sustained representation from the Scottish top flight on the international stage, encouraging further cross-border investment and talent acquisition.
