That was rather frustrating from Celtic.
One week after Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup final, they produced a rusty and pretty poor goalless draw at Dundee United on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had plenty of chances, in terms of play in the final third, but there was a lack of killer instinct and they didn’t test the opposing keeper Jack Walton enough.
From Celtic’s 17 efforts on goal, only three efforts were on target, with Dundee United’s two shots at goal both being on target.
Celtic made a host of changes from the Hampden thriller, with big names missing through illness, including the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston and Nicolas Kuhn.
It meant that fringe players were given a chance and it’s fair to say that they didn’t take their opportunity.
Pat Bonner critical of Luis Palma as Celtic drop points at Dundee United
Luis Palma has only played 143 minutes of football this term and it showed at Tannadice, as he was introduced into the action on the hour mark.
Pat Bonner didn’t hold back in what he saw from Palma and how he is so one-dimensional in his play.
The legendary goalkeeper stated that he has said it ‘so many times’ that the 24-year-old isn’t capable of playing on his left foot and there is a reason why he isn’t in the starting XI, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.
I have always wondered why Palma can’t play on the right-hand side, because he can’t play with his left foot,” said Bonner.
“He always comes on the inside. When Maeda was still on the pitch, at that point, he could still play on the left and the right-hand side.
“I have said so many times when I watch him play. You have got to be able to go on the outside and the inside. You can’t keep coming in on the inside all the time. You come on the pitch, then you have to make a real impact. I know he had a shot, but that’s all I have seen of him so far. That’s why he’s not in the team, I am afraid.
Palma’s stats for Celtic against Dundee United
On the one hand, you sympathise with the player because he has hardly played, and has no rhythm and that showed.
But, on the other, you have to be ruthless in these situations and take every little chance you get because this is Celtic you are playing for.
And it’s fair to say that he didn’t do that here, with WhoScored giving him a rating of 6.19 for his half an hour off the bench.
Palma had four unsuccessful touches during his small time on the pitch – more than any other player.
