NafisaCeltic midfielder Mika Baur has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his team’s struggles, effectively questioning whether the current squad is good enough to compete at Europa League level after another painful defeat exposed their defensive weaknesses.
The German midfielder had given Celtic hope against Celta Vigo by firing them into the lead, but that advantage counted for nothing as the visitors struck twice through Javi Rodriguez to claim a 2-1 victory.
What followed was another damaging European night, with Celtic once again unable to protect a promising position or regain control when the pressure intensified.
The defeat left Celtic without a single point from their opening three Europa League matches, piling further pressure on a team already facing criticism following their two defeats against Rangers.
With their European campaign threatening to unravel, Baur’s post-match comments have raised uncomfortable questions about the players’ ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
Mika Baur delivers a brutal verdict on Celtic’s performance
Baur did not attempt to disguise his frustration when discussing how Celtic allowed the game to slip away after taking the lead. Rather than blaming bad luck or pointing to one isolated incident, the midfielder highlighted a collective failure to defend properly, retain possession and prevent Celta Vigo from taking control.
“Very disappointed in the end.
“We scored, I thought we had a good ten minutes, and then we were too passive. They dominated us in our own half, around our own box. We had no control with the ball; we defended not well enough… so yeah.
“I think how we played the second half, or the last 30 minutes, it’s deserved in the end.”
Those words will make uncomfortable reading for Celtic supporters, particularly because they describe problems that go beyond one missed opportunity or an unfortunate goal.
Baur’s criticism was aimed at the team’s overall performance, with the defensive unit especially exposed by the way Celtic surrendered their advantage. Once Celta began applying pressure, Celtic struggled to defend their own penalty area and failed to show the composure needed to manage the game.
The midfielder’s assessment suggests the players must take responsibility for what happened rather than simply searching for excuses. Celtic had put themselves in a position to compete for the result, but their passive defending and inability to keep possession allowed the Spanish side to turn the contest around.
Celtic’s defensive problems exposed once again
Perhaps the most concerning part of Baur’s interview was his admission that he could not explain why Celtic had lost control of the match.
When asked about the team’s collapse after scoring, he responded: “I cannot tell you. I’m sorry. I have no idea.”
That response highlights the uncertainty surrounding Celtic’s performances. A team competing at this level should be capable of recognising when an opponent is gaining momentum and responding before the situation becomes dangerous.
Instead, Celtic allowed Celta Vigo to dominate important periods of the second half. The defence struggled to deal with the pressure, while the team as a whole failed to slow the game down or regain possession for meaningful periods.
Baur acknowledged that conceding a goal can happen against a good opponent, but insisted Celtic should have reacted much better afterwards.
“Absolutely. It can happen when you get a goal. They can score as well, good team.
“So then, you should get the control back. Hold the ball a bit longer to take the momentum away from them, maybe.”
His comments underline the difference between simply competing in a match and knowing how to win it. Celtic had taken the lead, but they could not manage the advantage, control the tempo or prevent their opponents from dictating the closing stages.
For a side expected to challenge domestically and make progress in Europe, those shortcomings are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Baur questions whether Celtic are good enough for Europe
The midfielder’s most damaging admission came when he was asked about Celtic’s difficulty translating their domestic performances into results in European competition.
“The focus is performing every three days in the league. That’s first and then performing in Europa League or international football as well.
“At the moment, maybe we are not capable to win these games.”
That is a remarkably candid assessment from a Celtic player, and it speaks directly to the concerns surrounding the team’s ability to compete against stronger opposition.
Baur did not single out individual teammates by name. Instead, his comments pointed towards a collective problem involving the entire side, particularly the defensive players whose mistakes and passive approach have repeatedly left Celtic vulnerable.
His suggestion that the team may not currently be capable of winning these European matches is especially worrying given the wider context. Celtic have now lost their opening three Europa League fixtures, while their two defeats against Rangers have added to the scrutiny surrounding their performances in major games.
The pattern is becoming difficult to overlook: Celtic can find promising moments, but when opponents apply sustained pressure, the team has struggled to maintain its organisation and produce the response required to secure results.
Baur’s comments do not necessarily mean Celtic lack the quality to improve. However, they do suggest the players themselves recognise that their current performances are falling short of the standard required.
Celtic have no choice but to fight back
Despite the disastrous start to their European campaign, Baur insists Celtic must continue believing that qualification remains possible.
The midfielder is already looking towards their next opportunity to collect points when Besiktas visit Celtic Park in two weeks.
“In two weeks, that’s the next one, against Besiktas, home again. Hopefully a good atmosphere.
“We need the points.”
Celtic will need more than a positive atmosphere, however. They must demonstrate that they can defend with greater discipline, retain possession under pressure and respond decisively when an opponent threatens to take control.
Baur also made it clear that the squad cannot simply abandon the campaign after three consecutive defeats.
“What else should we do? Yeah, absolutely.
“There are still games ahead, so we go with all our best to qualify for the next round. It’s not getting easier with a loss again, so yeah.
“We need points.”
Those remaining fixtures offer Celtic a chance to repair some of the damage, but their margin for error is shrinking with every defeat.
The challenge now is to turn Baur’s blunt assessment into meaningful improvement on the pitch. His words have exposed the frustration inside the squad, particularly over the team’s passive defending and inability to control important moments.
Celtic still have opportunities to respond, but after their European collapse against Celta Vigo and their recent struggles against Rangers, the pressure is firmly on the players to prove they can deliver when it matters most.
Nafisa
