MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 01: Jurgen Klopp, Head Coach of Germany, looks on as Jonathan Burkardt, Bambase Conte and Mika Baur of Germany prepare to be substituted on during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Germany and Serbia at Allianz Arena on October 01, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Mika Baur suddenly found himself in the spotlight as Germany played Serbia in the Nations League last night.
An international debut is a special moment but leading Serbia 2-0 after 78 minutes is normally no big deal.
Baur’s substitute appearance was however a landmark.
He became the 1000th player to appear for the German international team.
A landmark instantly recognised in the media. Baur became the first Celtic player to earn a full German cap.
?? Mika Baur becomes the 1000th player to play for the German national team in its history pic.twitter.com/b5H3E3mGqL
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 1, 2026
Six months ago Baur was helping Paderborn to promotion to the Bundesliga.
Even as a youth internationalist he probably wasn’t expecting a full cap this season.
A move to Celtic coupled with the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager has created an opening.
BAUR MAKES HIS INTERNATIONAL BOW
Klopp named a 40 man squad to cover four Nations League matches and must have saw something in Baur’s game that he felt he could work with.
Last night’s win was needed for Klopp. His reign as international manager started with a 1-1 draw away to Holland followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Greece.
Overall the Nations League is a minor event but after an early World Cup exit Klopp has little to build on as he prepares for the 2028 European Championships.
The big task now for Baur is to maintain a place in the 25 man squad for the November Nations League matches.
That will require positive results and performances at Celtic where he has walked into something of a mini storm.
Three consecutive defeats before the international break has opened many questions about the manager, players and tactics.
Returning to matches against Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo should provide many answers.
The German national side does have a ‘colourful’ history, operating as East and West Germany after the Second World War until reuniting in November 1990.
At the 1974 World Cup the two Germany’s played against each other.
Former Celt Andy Thom won 51 caps for East Germany then 10 for Germany.
