Midfielder admits Celtic must find a way to bridge the gap between domestic and European form - but is not prepared to abandon hope
Mika Baur is adamant Celtic have the quality to revive their Europa League campaign, despite a third consecutive defeat raising questions over the Scottish champions inability to replicate their domestic form on the continental stage.
For the second time in Europe this season, Baur found the net without being able to celebrate a result that reflects his contribution. Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat by Celta Vigo left Martin O’Neill’s side searching for answers, with the gulf between their domestic performances and European results becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Celtic’s latest setback was all the more frustrating given the way they had broken the deadlock early in the second half. Baur felt his side had begun to take control against their La Liga opponents before allowing the game to slip from their grasp.
“Very disappointing, yeah, for this to happen for the second time,” the German international reflected. “We had a great first 15 minutes in the second half, got control and played really, well. But they scored and the momentum switched and we were not capable to switch it back again.”
It is a familiar headache for a Celtic side struggling to find consistency in Europe. Defeats to Ferencváros, Benfica and now Celta Vigo have raised questions over the gap between their domestic and European displays, but Baur refused to concede their campaign is slipping beyond repair with five league-phase fixtures remaining.
The 22-year-old accepts that European football presents a different challenge and a step up in quality, but was equally keen to stress that Celtic's domestic fixtures should not be underestimated.
“What else should I think? Yeah, sure,” Baur responded when asked if there is still time for Celtic to change the narrative and qualify for the knockout stages. “We have five games ahead, so it's not getting easier because we lost again. But, yes, five games with 15 points to play for, so what else?
“The European football is much more difficult, for sure. But we’ve had really, really tough games in the league as well. It's not getting easier to go away and play St Mirren, St Johnstone or whoever.
“We should move on in the league, be confident, like we did last Sunday. That [Hearts] was not an easy game. Maybe it looked like that, but it was well deserved. It's just very disappointing that we are not capable at the moment to perform like that in the Europa League.”
Three consecutive defeats have fuelled doubts over Celtic’s ability to compete at that level and Baur acknowledged the criticism of their recent European struggles. “Maybe it's like that at the moment, but I believe in us that we can turn it around absolutely and do better against Besiktas in two weeks time,” he said.
Attention now turns back to Premiership business this weekend. Rock-bottom Hibs await in the capital on Sunday. The quick turnaround leaves little time to dwell on Thursday’s disappointment, but Baur believes the relentless schedule can work in the squad’s favour by forcing them to refocus quicky on the next challenge.
“There is no time. Maybe that's the good point — there's no time,” he said. “The next game is on Sunday. We can be disappointed, but the next day we do regeneration. Then by Saturday the focus is all on Hibs.
“So, maybe that's the good thing, to play every three days. It's easy. If you're not treating them like a really good opponent, it's not possible to win that game.”
While Celtic continue to search for consistency as a collective, Baur feels his own performances have improved since joining on a four-year contract from Paderborn in the summer. Growing confidence has allowed him to make a greater contribution in the final third, although he recognises that his first responsibility is to help dictate games from the middle of the park alongside captain Callum McGregor.
“Absolutely. I try to do my best all the time. I try to help the team by scoring and hopefully deliver a few assists as well in the next games,” he added. “But firstly, it’s Callum and my job in the midfield to control it. We did a few times really well, a few times not. So, it's on us to do that. But personally, I feel more confident for sure in the last weeks.”
That confidence will be crucial as Celtic return to league action at Easter Road, where every opponent remains motivated to claim the scalp against the reigning champions.
Baur welcomes that pressure rather than shying away from it, adding: “They should try. It's a good type of pressure. I like that.”
Get our daily football newsletter by clicking here