Luis Palma has found minutes hard to come by at Celtic as Brendan Rodgers’ options out wide have impressed in the early part of the season.
Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda have been particularly strong, registering 21 goal contributions between them since the start of competitive play.
James Forrest has also returned four assists, leaving Luis Palma to contend with one start against Falkirk alongside substitute appearances against Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian.
Failing to catch fire in any of those games, the Honduran winger scored a hat-trick in the Bhoys’ friendly victory over Sligo Rovers last week while some of his other teammates headed for international duty.
While his chances of starting regularly seem remote, Brendan Rodgers’ post-match comments leave just enough oxygen for Palma to prove a point should he be given the chance to step up to the mark.
Brendan Rodgers still believes in Luis Palma’s Celtic creativity
Notably, Rodgers’ comments on Palma after defeating Sligo Rovers do create intrigue upon further examination, with the Irishman pointing out that a simplified approach could work for the Honduras international.
He explained: “He worked hard, but that’s not an area that there’s any doubt with. You have to do the work, but that was a nice exercise for him. He wanted to stay in the international break to get the work in and obviously playing this game and it’s been a nice reward for him.
It’s just about not forcing it. I think sometimes the thing with wingers is, when other players are in the team and scoring and creating goals, you feel you really want to come in and force it a little bit. I think sometimes that’s what’s happened with Luis.
He’s a very good technician, and when he plays for the team and works hard and presses well, then he can be a really good player.”
Luis Palma has to put it all together at Celtic and the time is now
After his showing last season, which led to double figures in goals and assists, Palma definitely has the ability to carve out opportunities; it is about pulling it all together and avoiding inconsistencies in his game.
Stat-trackers Fotmob detail he created 66 chances in the Scottish Premiership last season, completing 48 successful dribbles and 46 crosses. Those aren’t the statistics of a player lost in the headlights, but it is evident that he needs to get back to doing the basics right without trying to add extra extravagance.
The fact he wants to earn his place back at the club is admirable. For all the external noise that surrounds the 24-year-old, he is clearly a determined character who is doing everything he can to make that happen.
Undoubtedly, the last few months have been a learning curve. His journey back to first-team stardom won’t be easy, though he appears willing to take on the task.
Performing well against Sligo Rovers was a step in the right direction. Now, all focus turns to whether he can replicate that step competitively.
