Baur Calls for Celtic to Show Fight and Desire Against Rangers

Mika Baur has emphasized the critical need for Celtic to display fight and desire when they face derby rivals Rangers, stressing that victory will depend on mentality and energy rather than beautiful football.

Celtic's recent performances have left supporters bewildered, not just due to defeats in season-defining games, but also because of the 'abject nature' of their losses. Following a significant collapse against LASK and a meek surrender to Ferencvaros, the team now faces Rangers amidst growing concern. Three defeats in high-profile matches within 24 days, with eleven goals conceded, have amplified alarm bells.

Baur, relatively new to Glasgow, understands the significance of the upcoming match. "As a team, we need to stick together, get the energy level really high on Sunday," he stated. "To win the fights and the duels, that’s the most important thing. We will not win it through beautiful football and nice plays."

Recent performances have highlighted a lack of resilience when adversity strikes. After the loss at Ibrox, skipper Callum McGregor remarked that the team sometimes appeared to be defending with only six players. The match against Ferencvaros, despite Baur's equalizer in the first half, saw Celtic concede again in injury time due to basic errors, and then a quick turnover after the interval led to another goal that effectively ended the contest. "In the first half, it was just two easy goals," Baur recalled. "We started well in the match, the first minutes we were really pushing forward. Then I don’t know why we stopped. We played a lot of times at the back."

Baur suggested that a growing fear to express themselves in the final third allowed Ferencvaros to gain momentum. He believes the large Celtic crowd can be an advantage if utilized correctly. "So, we should use that," he insisted. "We need everyone. The players will give 100 per cent on the field and we need everybody else to get that energy back and win on Sunday."

This pivotal match follows a significant week for Baur personally, having received his first call-up to the German national squad under Jürgen Klopp. However, the midfielder remains focused on the club's immediate challenge. "It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s a big honour and I’m really proud of it. But I really don’t want to talk about something individual at the moment. It’s all about Sunday. It’s really important for us, for Celtic."