German journalist Florian Plettenberg has made a strange claim about Celtic midfielder Mika Baur, but there is something to take from the update.
Baur has impressed for the Bhoys since his summer arrival from Paderborn on a bargain £4.5million deal. The midfielder has been excellent under Martin O'Neill, adapting very well to life in Scotland, and even while playing a more defensive position than he is used to.
The impressive 22-year-old was called up for Germany's senior team last month, earning his first two senior caps. Germany boss Jurgen Klopp spoke about the midfielder in glowing terms, vowing to keep an eye on Baur going forward.
The midfielder was not handed a senior call-up for this window, but he was called up for under-21s duty. But he was later forced to drop out of the squad due to picking up an ankle injury during Sunday's win over Kilmarnock.
Baur was forced off with five minutes remaining, and O'Neill said the early indications were that it was an ankle sprain. A scan followed, and we don't know the results of it, but we do know that Baur was declared unavailable for Germany under-21s action.
That seems to be an update reliable journalist Florian Plettenberg has missed, because he has posted on X: "Should there be any further absences under Jürgen Klopp, Mika Baur is one of the first candidates to be called up to the midfield. He made a very strong impression on his debut in October."
That seems as though it was a mistake from Plettenberg, but the German journalist is a reliable figure and he covers the German national team. so, if nothing else, it is likely something to take notice of in terms of how highly Klopp rates the midfielder.
There were reports this week of Baur attracting interest from Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs. That report claimed Celtic now value Baur at more than twice what they paid for him, and that would be no surprise.
Baur has been a fine player for the Bhoys, and already a Germany senior international, which is nothing to be sniffed at, his value is going to soar. Celtic won't be looking to sell Baur any time soon, though, and the midfielder is clearly enjoying life in Glasgow with all the football he is playing.
The hope now is that he doesn't miss too much action with this fresh ankle concern.
Add us as a preferred source on Google