Celtic's German midfielder Mika Baur has highlighted the team's growing momentum ahead of a critical back-to-back derby series against Rangers. The 22-year-old spoke after the reigning champions maintained their perfect Premiership start with a 2-1 away victory over St Mirren in Paisley on Tuesday night, as reported by Daily Mail Sport.
Celtic sit first in the Premiership with 15 points from five wins, scoring 13 goals and conceding just three. They hold a five-point lead at the top, with their next league fixture a home match against Motherwell on December 26th. The squad is currently without several key players, including Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Kasper Høgh, Kieran Tierney, and Jota, as listed on the club's injuries page.
How did Celtic secure the win against St Mirren?
The match at St Mirren saw Celtic fall behind before fighting back. Defender Liam Scales equalised with a header, and forward Hyun-jun Yang scored the decisive goal to secure the three points. This result extended Celtic's winning run at the start of the league campaign to five matches. Manager Martin O'Neill and his coaching staff, including German-speaking coach Mark Fotheringham and Shaun Maloney, have been credited with creating a positive environment for new signings like Baur.
What did Mika Baur say about the upcoming fixtures?
The summer signing from Paderborn, who cost £6.8 million, has made three appearances with two starts since his arrival. Baur emphasised the need to focus on the immediate task before looking ahead to the Rangers games. "Of course you read a lot about the Rangers game, but we have a game on Wednesday first against St Johnstone," he said. The midfielder also outlined his own approach, stating, "I'm not the tallest, but why should I be shy? It's not just about playing nice football with the ball." Celtic face St Johnstone in Perth on Wednesday before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox next weekend and a league derby at Celtic Park the following week.
Where does Baur fit into the current Celtic squad?
Baur's integration into a squad featuring long-serving players like defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, now in his sixth year at the club, is a key part of Celtic's season. His comments reflect a team mindset focused on maintaining their strong early-season form. The fixture list presents a significant test, with the double-header against their city rivals offering a chance to strengthen their position further. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges via the official fixtures and standings pages.
What is the current state of the Celtic squad?
Despite the perfect start, the absence of five first-team players presents a challenge for depth. The team's defensive record of only three goals conceded in five games is a positive sign, built on a foundation that includes experienced campaigners. The schedule demands careful management, with the midweek trip to Perth acting as a direct precursor to the high-stakes cup tie at Ibrox. The full squad details and player statistics are available on the club's squad page.
Celtic's next match is away to St Johnstone in Perth on Wednesday night.
