Yesterday’s news featured Luis Palma’s father speaking in Honduras, addressing wild internet rumours about his son’s attitude, which some claim is the reason he’s been dropped from the Honduran national squad.
According to his father, the real issue isn’t his attitude but rather his lack of regular game time. He insists that Palma is still committed to Celtic and working hard to get back into the team.
That’s all well and good, and as a fan, I’m always pleased when a player not in the squad shows commitment and dedication to changing that. Palma certainly has a solid level of technical skill, and if he can add certain qualities to his game, he could become a real asset.
But there’s a deeper narrative at play here, beyond the words from his dad, agent, and national coach. The subliminal message seems to suggest that certain decisions have already been made, and everyone involved has quietly concluded that a January exit might be best for all parties.
Palma says he wants to stay and fight for his place, but the reality is clear to everyone: it’s going to be tough. Not because he’s a poor player—far from it—but because Celtic under Brendan Rodgers demands a specific style of play. If a player can’t fit into that system, no matter how talented, they simply don’t have a future here.
This is similar to the situation with Gustaf Lagerbielke, who also didn’t quite fit the bill. He wasn’t a bad player either, but he lacked some of the attributes the manager deems essential. It’s not about being unable to play football, it’s about being unable to play the way Celtic requires.
Lagerbielke, for example, wasn’t fast enough for Rodgers’ high-line defence. The modern game demands quick centre-backs who can recover swiftly when the ball is lost. Palma, too, lacks the pace and physicality needed in this system. He’s not as strong as he needs to be, and he’s often too slow to make an impact in the way Rodgers wants his wide men to play.
Could Palma succeed as a number 10? Perhaps. He might provide goals and assists in that role. But Celtic already have players who excel in that position—players who are quick, strong, and able to win back the ball when needed. That’s the difference. When those players lose possession, they can recover. Palma, on the other hand, struggles to hold onto the ball under pressure or burst forward with the necessary speed.
At another club or in a different league, Palma might flourish.
But it’s becoming increasingly evident that Celtic isn’t the right fit. While I admire his desire to stay and fight for his place, there’s a sense in the comments from his father and others that everyone involved is already preparing for a parting of ways in January.
Over the summer, Palma did seem to make some adjustments.
He appeared to gain a yard of pace, and he showed more aggression with the ball at his feet. However, when you compare him to the likes of Maeda and Kuhn, who consistently drive forward, cutting inside and taking on defenders, Palma’s impact has waned. I can’t recall the last time he cut inside and got a shot on target, and in this system, that’s essential.
We’ve all talked about the possibility of Rodgers tweaking the tactics to accommodate players like Palma for certain matches, but realistically, there won’t be enough opportunities to satisfy his desire for first-team football.
That means, just like Lagerbielke, Palma is likely to be moved on in January—not because he doesn’t have talent, but because he doesn’t fit the requirements of this Celtic side.
Some folk suggest we’ve been too hard on him, arguing that we should give him more time to find his feet. But this is professional football, and Celtic is a club where pressure and scrutiny are part of life. As long as the criticism is fair, it’s something every player must accept.
Not every player is cut out for the intensity of this environment.
It’s a shame, because like all Celtic fans, I wanted to see Palma succeed, especially after the nonsense stories that he was rejected by the club across the city.
His initial performances showed promise, and his early stats mirrored those of Jota from the previous season. But sometimes, things just don’t work out.
If the writing is on the wall and everyone agrees it’s time for him to move on, then we should use him sparingly in the coming months and line up a move in January.
There’s no shame in it. Players come and go at Celtic, and not everyone is suited to the demands of this club. Let’s wish him well when the time comes and focus on those who can contribute to the team’s future.
Aye, he is good in flashes, but not consistent enough, a bit like Mikey Johnston in that respect and, as long as everybody else is fit, his game time will be limited. So, it is probably best for him to move on and seek success elsewhere.
He was an utterly USLESS Penalty taker – That sand dancing pish pot jerker run up to the spot…
Lets just try and get a decent fee for him then –
And wish him well in his future endeavours going forward !
The first quality he lacked, was the quality to work hard, I really wanted him to succeed so much . He may not fit into Rogers system, or watching him against Falkirk there may not be a system for him in Scotland. I can’t share your generosity in wishing him well, because he never left me with any lasting memories.