Mika Baur is in line to make his first appearance in a Glasgow derby after scoring the winning goal for Celtic against St Johnstone. The 22-year-old German midfielder, who joined from Paderborn for £6.85 million, netted his first goal for the club in Wednesday's 1-0 victory at McDiarmid Park.
That result could now secure Baur a place in Martin O'Neill's starting lineup for Sunday's match against Rangers at Ibrox. The fixture is the first of a Premier Sports Cup and Premiership double-header, with the two sides meeting twice within a week. Celtic are targeting a semi-final spot at Hampden.
Baur expects special occasion
Baur said: "It will be a special match. I'm just enjoying the win and my performance, and our performance - the three points. But 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 on Wednesday, to have that confidence and to look forward to the Rangers match. And to go into the match really confident, that we know we have the quality and we are capable of scoring, capable of defending."
Hailing from south-west Germany, Baur has never watched a Glasgow derby and admits he does not know what to expect at Ibrox. He experienced the Elb-Clasico against FC Magdeburg during a loan spell at Dynamo Dresden, winning one and losing the other, but acknowledges that rivalry is small compared to Rangers versus Celtic.
No away fans at Ibrox
He said: "I really don't know. For sure I expect it will be special, but I think I've never experienced something like that. I'm just looking forward and being excited about what's happening on Sunday."
"Last season, I remember that I watched the highlights, but not the full match. I played two derbies in Germany, but it was during my time in Dresden. It's also special. There are some really tough derbies, but I think you cannot compare it to something like Sunday."
Baur will also have to cope without the backing of any away fans at Ibrox. He said: "We have to accept it. It's not our decision. 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. It's just a way of perspective. They give you energy if they're in the stadium, but a situation like that gives you a lot of energy. You know everyone watches it in front of the TV, so you want to do your best, you want to win. Maybe it also gives you a bit of energy."
Asked if he can cope with 50,000 Rangers fans, he said: "I hope so. I think I'm capable of that. As I said, I've never experienced something like that, especially if there are just fans that maybe hate you and don't like you. But I think I can handle that."
Johnstone praised after debut
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could also face a baptism of fire after keeping a clean sheet on his debut at McDiarmid Park. Baur added: "He was incredible. In the first half, the save he made was so important. It would be a different match if they scored in the first half and also in the second. He did a great job, and we're so happy to have him here."
