Luis Palma could be the big Celtic success story from this international break.

Was I surprised that Luis Palma performed well for his national team this weekend?

Of course not. I’ve been saying for a while now that he’s a decent player. He has skill and definitely has something to offer. But maybe it’s just not something he can bring to Celtic—and sometimes that’s the way things turn out.

Right now, we have a very clearly defined style.

If a player fits within that, he’ll succeed. If not, then he won’t. There’s no reason Palma couldn’t fit the style, but maybe the physical attributes required just aren’t there.

When Rodgers talks about pace and power, Palma could be the guy he has in mind. Technically, Palma is excellent. He could do what Kuhn does on the right-hand side, on the left. He can take the ball, run with it, and cut inside the penalty area.

But he’s easily brushed off the ball, whereas Kuhn is not. Palma also lacks the pace to break away from the last defender. He couldn’t do what Kuhn does—powering past players and holding them off—with any real success.

That said, Palma has the same eye for the clinical pass and ability to get the ball on target. He has the potential to score, but the way we play just doesn’t suit his style. If you’re playing fast-break football, you need a player like Kuhn, who has the legs to get clear of the last defender from an onside position. Luis Palma is the last guy you’d ask to do that.

Palma averages a goal every four games for us, which, over the course of a season, puts him in double figures. He also adds assists, which is another good trait for a wide man.

But because so much of our style depends on pace and power, he’s just not a good fit for this team. Daizen Maeda, in contrast, has both of those qualities, which is why he plays wide left, while Kuhn plays wide right. That’s also why Yang is getting more game time—he’s fast and strong, even if he’s still a work in progress.

But if we played a system that suited him, perhaps in a number 10 role, Palma would excel. He’d score goals, provide assists, and fit seamlessly into the team.

I’m not suggesting we change our playing style just to accommodate him. Our team is working well without him. What I’m saying is that Palma is not a write-off as a footballer, and he’s the kind of player I could see us selling for a decent profit.

In a team that plays more to his strengths, Palma could be a star. He’s already widely praised by his national team’s fans and manager, which is a good sign. It must feel good for him to get that kind of validation on the international stage. And that’s why, despite my frustrations with international football, it can sometimes be beneficial—players come back from these breaks with a newfound confidence and often play with greater belief in their ability.

Aaron Mooy played in the World Cup and never looked back. Celtic fans who were sceptical of him saw a completely different player when he returned. The same happened with Maeda, who wasn’t widely trusted by Celtic fans before his standout performances for Japan. After that, many of our fans saw him in a new light.

I’m not saying Palma will come back transformed, but he’ll return with heightened confidence and a stronger belief in his abilities. He might be one of those players who thrives on confidence and adoration. It won’t make him stronger or faster, but it could make him approach things differently—and that might be a good thing.

Palma could be one of those success stories from the international break. It might not save him at Celtic, but it will likely ensure he lands on his feet when he moves on. And we’ll likely get a decent transfer fee for him if he decides to leave.