Germany call-up 'doesn't feel real', says Celtic midfielder Mika Baur

Celtic midfielder Mika Baur admits he could never have imagined that his first Germany call-up would come so soon after his move to Glasgow.

The 22-year-old could make his international debut in Thursday’s Nations League encounter against Serbia in Munich after being included in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Baur moved from Paderborn in August after helping his club win promotion to the Bundesliga and still can’t believe how quickly international recognition followed.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” he said. “Until I got the call, it seemed very far away to me. I knew that moving to Glasgow was the next step in my development. But I never expected it to lead to something like this as well.

“I’m trying to soak it all up here. I want to make my mark, take everything in and make the most of the experience. I want to enjoy myself as well. But obviously, we all want to play and get some minutes.”

Baur believes his progress has been partly due to developing a different aspect of his game.

“My strengths are definitely on the ball, but over the last year-and-a-half, I’ve also learned to enjoy doing the dirty work, fighting and leaving my heart on the pitch. Sprinting up and down, getting stuck into challenges,” he added.

“I’m now at a very high level in that regard, meaning I can have an impact both with and without the ball.”