Opinion: Why Luis Palma’s time at Celtic is coming to an end

The Celtic Star

·1 November 2024

Opinion: Why Luis Palma’s time at Celtic is coming to an end

Michael Beale was right about next to nothing during his time in Glasgow, but not signing Luis Palma is something he won’t regret…

30th October 2024 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership Celtic versus Dundee Luis Palma of Celtic hits a pass while Ethan Ingram of Dundee tries to close him down Photo: ActionPlus David Young

Palma’s performance against Dundee epitomised his Celtic career so far. His ponderous play followed by lacking any real confidence or quality in the final third resulted in the Honduran being hooked after 57 minutes.

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Rodgers rang the changes

Brendan Rodgers rang the changes and rotated the side on Wednesday evening. First team regulars Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Liam Scales were all absent from the starting XI. This allowed fringe stars such as Luis Palma, Yang and Tony Ralston to be given an opportunity in a testing environment against an underperforming Dundee side.

Notably, the lack of real belief in Palma’s game was concerning. No disrespect to Tony Docherty’s right-back Ethan Ingram, but it’s not as if Celtic’s forgotten winger was up against Dani Carvajal. The manager gave him a chance on Wednesday night and once again Palma failed to grasp it.

30th October 2024; Celtic versus Dundee; Lyall Cameron of Dundee shields the ball from Luis Palma of Celtic. Photo ActionPlus David Young

Meanwhile, it was only a year ago last week the 24 year-old produced a stunning strike versus Atletico Madrid in the Champions League which put the Hoops ahead in a memorable European encounter with the Spanish giants which feels like a lifetime ago.

A downwards trend for Palma

Since then, it has been a downwards trend for Palma. The most damning analysis of his performance against Dundee is that it looked very Mikey Johnston esque. He does not get you off your seat the way a Nicolas Kuhn or Daizen Maeda does. Nor has Palma got a distinct attribute that he can turn too. Lacks any real pace, and his cutting inside becomes very predictable after the third time he attempts to do it.

Bought from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki for £4 million last summer, the Honduran signed a five-year contract with the Scottish Champions. Subsequently, it may prove difficult to offload Palma who turns 25 in January. Most certainly it is time Celtic look elsewhere with a winger surely becoming a priority for the next transfer window.

Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic’s Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match 9/10/2024 Photo INPHO/Tom Maher

A hat-trick against Sligo Rovers

Unfortunately for the out of favour wide man, his fate at the Hoops seems to be sealed. Despite scoring a hat-trick against Sligo Rovers in a friendly two weeks ago, Palma has mustered up nothing domestically of note during his poor spell in Glasgow. Despite featuring in Bergamo for a surprise substitute appearance, if Rodgers thinks he is unreliable to use domestically, how can he trust him to produce any quality where it matters at the elite level in the Champions League?

Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher

The best solution is that Celtic cut their losses and sign a better winger. The squad is in a strong place, but there are still certain members of it that do not add any sort of quality on the pitch. Palma, I think is one of those. For that reason, the club should attempt to part ways in January.

Conor Spence