Amid the headline-grabbing heroics of Camilo Duran, it was maybe considerably misplaced that Mika Baur loved a optimistic outing on his full Celtic debut on Wednesday night time.
The 22-year-old had beforehand caught the attention together with his deft flick within the build-up to Benjamin Nygren’s strike at Tannadice, with it not precisely taking lengthy for Hoops supporters to heat to the diminutive German.
Generally, even when early impressions may be deceiving, it does not require a lot for a brand new signing to impress, with Baur’s technical high quality shining via already following his arrival from Paderborn.
He won’t be the direct substitute for Arne Engels, however Martin O’Neill already appears on to a winner with this £6.8m funding.
Celtic have struck gold on Baur – however he is not the brand new Engels
There are large sneakers to fill at Parkhead following the sale of Engels, the Belgian notably shining on his last outing for the membership towards Kilmarnock, having been such a pressure in that thumping win at Rugby Park.
O’Neill does boast a midfield unit blessed with expertise and ball-playing potential, however Engels was the one with actual mobility and athleticism, the person to eat up floor alongside the steady presence of Callum McGregor.
As Wednesday showcased, Baur seems extra in line to be the substitute for Reo Hatate, somewhat than the direct successor to the brand new West Ham United man, together with his recreation centred round silk somewhat than metal.
That is to not say he does not provide a way of dynamism in midfield, frequently seen bursting again into place when Celtic have been left uncovered towards LASK, however he is removed from being a ball-winning powerhouse.
Certainly, he gained simply 50% of his duels and accomplished just one profitable sort out, with the centre of the park left trying somewhat open at occasions, notably within the early exchanges.
|
Baur vs LASK |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Report |
|
Minutes |
65 |
|
Touches |
53 |
|
Go accuracy |
88% |
|
Key passes |
2 |
|
Succ. dribbles |
2/3 |
|
Ball misplaced |
8 |
|
Carries |
16 |
|
Tackles |
1/1 |
|
Floor duels gained |
3/6 |
|
Dribbled previous |
1 |
It was the opposite facet of Baur’s recreation that stood out, nonetheless, so neat and tidy in possession, weaving his means out of tight areas and in search of to get on the ball at each alternative, having registered two key passes and recorded an 88% cross accuracy charge.
He will definitely ease the reliance on McGregor in that sense, but if Celtic are to essentially make a play in Europe this season, they’ll want somebody somewhat extra combative to enrich O’Neill’s present crop.
Celtic’s subsequent midfield signing may very well be imminent
Nobody is counting their chickens as but forward of subsequent week’s return leg in Austria, however the choice to promote Engels earlier than that Champions League conflict might not have backfired as anticipated.
And but, with the deadline looming, the Scottish champions do have to get a transfer on when it comes to signing a substitute, with there nonetheless certainly ample funds left within the switch kitty.
Speak has been rife relating to a transfer for Torino’s £9m-rated star, Gvidas Gineits, though a extra life like goal is likely to be Hajduk Break up’s Niko Sigur.
As per the Each day Report’s Scott Burns, a transfer for the latter man is claimed to have ‘superior’, with Sigur having his ‘coronary heart set’ on making the transfer to Glasgow.
Previously a goal for Wilfried Nancy again in January, the 22-year-old may properly lastly make his transfer to Paradise, albeit with Celtic needing to bide their time amid his involvement in Break up’s Convention League qualification bid.
As reported beforehand, there’s a confidence {that a} deal may be struck for a payment of round £4m, a relative snip contemplating what the Canadian can provide in a spread of roles.
Commonly deployed at right-back, Sigur’s most well-liked function is definitely in central midfield, having shone in that place in Canada’s World Cup conflict with Morocco this summer season.
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In supervisor Jesse Marsch’s view, he was the “finest participant on the pitch” for the match hosts, showcasing what he can do on the worldwide stage.
“I felt Sigur was distinctive, maybe our greatest participant on the pitch. The space he lined, the selections he made on the ball, the variety of occasions he gained possession in midfield, his imaginative and prescient in studying and creating performs, the bottom he lined, the duels he gained—he was excellent in each facet.”
In Baur’s case, the playmaker wasn’t even taking part in within the high flight of German soccer final time period, having largely operated within the third tier previous to 2025/26.
As for Sigur, he is been shining at a degree above in Croatia’s high tier, proving a daily fixture for Break up throughout the final three seasons or so.
In 2025/26, he did solely rack up three purpose involvements, under Baur’s tally of 9, however he notably outperformed the Germany U21 worldwide throughout a string of different metrics.
In possession, Sigur boasted a stellar 90% cross accuracy charge from his 24 begins, forward of Baur’s 84% common, whereas additionally bettering his midfield counterpart when it comes to possession misplaced per recreation (7.2 vs 12.3).
The place the Canadian actually excels is when it comes to his off-the-ball work, having averaged 3.7 tackles and interceptions per recreation, in addition to making 4.7 ball recoveries per recreation.
For comparability, Baur was no slouch himself in that regard, but averaged simply 2.4 and 4.3 for those self same two metrics, respectively, having additionally made 5 errors resulting in a shot, way over Sigur’s tally of 1.
Contemplating what the £4m-rated man affords when it comes to his versatility and adaptableness, in addition to what he is proven on the World Cup stage, it is arduous not view him as the person who may really fill Engels’ void, somewhat than the undoubtedly eye-catching Baur.
