Mika Baur's Bold Germany Call-Up by Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp has never been shy about backing a bold decision. This time, it’s Mika Baur who has caught his eye.
The 22-year-old Celtic midfielder has earned his first senior Germany call-up, one of the standout names in Klopp’s vast opening squad as national coach – a sprawling 44-man pool split across two groups. It’s a statement list. Baur’s inclusion is one of the clearest statements of all.
A bold move, a swift reward
Baur only arrived in Glasgow in the summer, a £6 million signing from newly-promoted Bundesliga side Paderborn after playing a central role in their impressive 2025/26 campaign. Leaving Germany for Scotland at 22 is not the typical route into the national team. Klopp clearly likes that.
“I consider him really exciting,” Klopp told STV Sport, revealing the pair had already spoken about the move. “He’s absolutely up for it. We also spoke on the phone about the weather in Glasgow – something I know well from Liverpool. With this move, he’s taken on a very challenging step.”
The challenge has not fazed him. Under Martin O’Neill, Baur has quickly forced his way into Celtic’s starting XI and, crucially, stayed there. His emergence has been sharp enough to keep seasoned summer arrival Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench, a significant marker of trust from his manager.
From Perth to Ibrox – and on to Germany
There has been end product to go with the promise. Earlier this month, Baur was named man of the match after scoring the winner against St Johnstone, a performance that underlined his ability to decide tight domestic games. He then went the distance in the heat of the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox, playing the full 90 minutes in Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Rangers.
The result stung, but Klopp will have noted the context: a young midfielder taking responsibility in one of Europe’s most unforgiving fixtures, not shrinking from it.
That appetite for pressure now carries him into the international arena. Baur has been selected in the second of Klopp’s two Germany groups, the one scheduled to face Serbia and Greece, and will join up with the squad from September 28. The first group will take on the Netherlands and Greece, as Klopp uses his opening window to cast the net wide and test new combinations.
From U21 prospect to senior stage
Baur is no stranger to the Germany setup. He has already featured at under-21 level, sharing a dressing room with Said El Mala, Finn Jeltsch and Brajan Gruda. All three have also been called up by Klopp this time, a clear sign that the new coach is ready to accelerate a generation he knows can grow together.
For Baur, the stakes are obvious. A senior debut would place him alongside Andreas Thom and Andreas Hinkel on a short but distinguished list: German internationals who have worn the Celtic shirt.
He chose the wind, rain and expectation of Glasgow to push his career forward. Now the door to the national team has opened. How far can he walk through it?
