Luis Palma is struggling. But life at Celtic will only improve when he knuckles down.

This job often requires saying things that will inevitably be interpreted as harsh. If you’re not prepared to be critical, then you’re in the wrong game. It comes with the territory, and our club won’t benefit if we pretend everything is always rosy. There are times when it’s essential to speak out against players, staff, or even directors if that’s what’s needed for the good of Celtic.

I understand those who believe that when players are struggling, what they need most is support. I agree with that, but only up to a point.

Beyond that, it becomes counterproductive.

Criticism, while rarely pleasant, is necessary for the healthy functioning of the club. Nobody in the Celtic family, be it online or elsewhere, enjoys criticising our own players. We can leave that to the mainstream press, who seem to revel in it. We don’t take any pleasure in it—nobody would choose to write negatively about one of our own if there was any other way.

Reports today suggest that Luis Palma wants to stay at the club, work hard, and fight for his place. I welcome that wholeheartedly and hope Palma is true to his word. There’s not a single Celtic fan who doesn’t want to see him succeed. What pleases me most, if these stories are accurate, is that he isn’t letting the current situation break him.

Many players need to feel loved and confident to perform well. But the truth is, if you put in the work at Celtic, the love will follow. Fans will always respect players who give their all. Lack of effort, however, is not something they tolerate. Unfortunately, that’s what seems to be Palma’s main issue—he doesn’t appear to work hard enough.

If he’s willing to dig in now, all the better. Celtic fans will then be more than happy to offer their support. Over the years, we’ve had players who weren’t particularly brilliant, but they earned the fans’ respect because they always gave 100%. You could always rely on them to give everything, to sweat blood for the jersey and run through walls for the manager.

Palma must rise to this moment.

If he wants to be at Celtic, he must prove he belongs here, and that’s about attitude and work ethic as much as skill. Big-game players don’t hide. They embrace criticism, grow from it, and push themselves to a higher level. You can teach skills, but you can’t teach attitude. You either have it, or you don’t. That’s what we’re going to find out about Luis Palma.

I’ve said before that he has great technical ability, but without the right work ethic, that alone will never be enough. The Todd Cantwell comparison is a bit exaggerated, but it’s not entirely unfair. He too has technical skills but spends too much time focused on things other than football. That attitude is what holds him back.

Palma is currently getting stick for a social media post after the weekend’s match. But let’s be honest, nobody is impressed by that. Fans want players to do their talking on the park, and the boss himself has shown he takes a dim view of such posturing.

Confidence is a two-way street: fans will encourage a player they believe in, but the player needs to show something to earn that belief.

Do I feel sorry for Palma? You’d need a heart of stone not to feel some sympathy for one of your own when they’re under fire. But we’re not asking him to become a world-beater overnight. We’re simply asking him to make the best of the talent he has, to apply himself more.

What concerned me in recent reports was the suggestion that he had spat the dummy with the manager and fans over not getting enough game time. Game time isn’t a right—it’s something to be earned. If he’s being left out, there’s a reason. The problem lies with him, not anyone else. Managers don’t leave good players out unless there’s a good reason, and players don’t win battles with their managers by complaining.

Palma had his chance at the weekend to show what he’s capable of, but he didn’t take it. Rodgers has made it clear: you get into the team on merit, or not at all. That’s why £6 million signing Austin Trusty has only played a handful of minutes—because Liam Scales is performing well, and until he falters, he won’t be dropped.

It might be a while before Palma gets another opportunity, but if he works hard, stays focused, and doesn’t allow distractions to derail him, that chance will come. When it does, it will be up to him to take it.

What won’t help him is losing focus, getting caught up in the wrong things, or giving up. Every player faces moments like this in their career. It’s how they respond that defines their future, not just at Celtic but in football in general.

Luis Palma’s future will hinge on how he handles this. Will he crumble under the criticism, or will he rise above it and push himself to the next level? Luis Palma’s future might well hinge on the answer.

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