SNS GroupMika Baur believes he got on the scoresheet for Celtic at just the right time ahead of this weekend’s Old Firm derby.
The German netted his first goal for the club as his side notched up their sixth straight league win with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on Wednesday.
The league leaders sit five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but they will now turn their attention to the Premier Sports Cup when they face Rangers at Ibrox in Sunday’s quarter-final.
The 22-year-old insists Celtic can continue their run of form when they face off against Derek McInnes’ rejuvenated side.
“It will be a special match,” said the midfielder, who joined from Bundesliga side Paderborn last month.
“Everyone knows it’s a special match against Rangers. They’re a good team, it will be a tough game, difficult, but we will try our best to get into the next round.
“I think now we have good momentum because of the last matches in the league, we can be confident for sure.
“That’s why it’s important that we won against St Johnstone, to have that confidence and to look forward to the Rangers match and to go into the match really confident.
“We know we have the quality, and we are capable of scoring, capable of defending.
“It was not a special goal, it was a tap-in, but I’m really happy that I scored it and that we won because it was a tough match, especially in the first half.”
Baur admitted Sunday’s derby match is likely to be an eye-opener for him in terms of scale and intensity compared to anything he has experienced before in his career in the German lower leagues.
“I really don’t know what to expect,” he said. “For sure, I expect it will be special, but I think I’ve never experienced something like this.
“I’m just looking forward and being excited about what’s happening on Sunday.
“I played two derbies, but it was during my time in Dresden. They were also special. There are some really tough derbies, but I think you cannot compare it to something like Sunday.”
Baur is unfazed by the prospect of there being no Celtic fans at Ibrox on Sunday after the recent decision not to allow away supporters to attend any SPFL matches between the two Glasgow sides this term.
“We have to accept it, it’s not our decision,” said Baur. “It should not affect us on Sunday, but sure, if you have some fans with you to give you energy, it helps a lot, but it’s not our decision.
“We accept it and try to do our best. You know everyone still watches it in front of the TV, so you want to do your best, you want to win, and maybe it also gives you a bit of energy.
“I’ve never experienced something like that before, especially if there are just fans there that maybe hate you and don’t like you, but I think I can handle that.”
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