Chris Sutton thinks Luis Palma struggled to put in a strong showing despite Celtic’s 3-0 win over St Mirren on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old started the game and helped the team cruise to a 2-0 opening after ten minutes – Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley were the goalscorers.
But after 55 minutes, with Celtic 2-0 up against ten men and cruising, Luis Palma was subbed for Hyunjun Yang by Brendan Rodgers.
It was a straight swap from the Celtic boss, with the team then going on to add a third with the ‘Robin van Persie’ dubbed Greg Taylor.
On commentary, Chris Sutton stated that ‘things haven’t quite come off’ for Luis Palma, as he told Sky Sports Football (02/01/24 at 6:15 pm).
With Liel Abada returning from injury and Daizen Maeda also starting to warm up his engine again after his recent visit to the treatment room.
The wide areas at Celtic are starting to bulk up again in quality, so players like Luis Palma have to step up their game.
Luis Palma against St Mirren
“Things haven’t quite come off for Luis Palma,” said Sutton. “Now he’s getting a rest and an opportunity for Yang. But a straight switch.”
Luis Palma’s healthy start to life at Celtic
It has been a fair few months since Palma made a £3.5 million switch to Parkhead and it’s fair to say that he has made a healthy start.
He is very different to the departed Jota. He doesn’t have the speed or power of the Al-Ittihad winger.
But Palma is clever on the ball, he can carry it forward, can see a pass and has very good link-up play.
The numbers are looking very strong from the Honduran star, he has nine goals and 12 assists in all competitions, including nine assists from 17 Premiership matches.
A strong start and there is certainly more to come!
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
