Celtic winger Luis Palma was practising penalties on Friday at Lennoxtown but worked on shooting towards the goalkeeper’s left-hand side, rather than the right.
The Honduran star saw his spot-kick well saved by Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who kept the ball out low to his right-hand side. It proved to be a costly miss in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Steelmen.
Rodgers has previously stated he wants his team to improve at penalties after issues in the early part of the season and in earlier campaigns before the manager’s arrival.
Asked about today’s miss, the Celtic boss discussed Palma’s decision to change up what he’d been working on and again called on his players to get better at spot-kicks.
Celtic boss wants penalty improvement
Rodgers said [The Scotsman]: “If it goes in, it’s a great run up, isnt it? When he scored the first time it was a good run up, it’s never so good when you miss.
“In fairness, the keeper’s made a decent save but it’s all about variety with penalty takers. I know he practised yesterday, didn’t go that side, and was working on the keeper’s left. But went that side but that is the choice he made. He is brave enough to take them. But disappointed we didn’t take that opportunity.
“I was looking before I came in here that there have been a number of penalties missed. These are decisive moments in games and you have to be ready to take them. You are never always going to be three, four, five up in games. You get that opportunity, you have to take it.
“It is something that the players who are going to be the penalty takers are working on every day. We have to stay focused on that because it is a skill. You can’t replicate the pressure but penalties are a skill, and a skill we have to be better at.”
Celtic have been awarded eight penalties in all competitions this season and missed three of them. David Turnbull has the best record with three scored from four taken, while both Palma and Reo Hatate have scored one and missed one.
Turnbull was eventually the man on the scoresheet in the draw with Motherwell, netting his latest penalty in the 86th minute. The midfielder looks the most viable choice to take them when he’s on the pitch.
Today’s miss was the most costly one of the season so far, the first in a match which Celtic have dropped points from.
Palma shouldn’t let it impact his confidence too much, he’s been in excellent form in recent weeks. Hopefully Rodgers gets his wish for improvement across the board in these decisive moments.
In other news, Marco Tilio makes long-awaited Celtic debut.
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