Chris Sutton hasn’t hidden his feelings on the quality of the Celtic squad this season, nor his frustrations with recruitment during the summer transfer window.
The former Bhoys striker holds the club to a high standard and has gone on the record on multiple occasions to complain that Celtic should have done more in the summer months to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ options.
However, he is seeing positive signs from one or two emerging talents at Celtic Park and reckons they could prove to show their true worth over the coming weeks and months.
Chris Sutton left impressed by Luis Palma
Palma has undoubtedly made the biggest impact of all of Celtic’s summer signings. The Honduran is rapidly becoming a favourite with the support and turning into a superstar in his homeland.
For Sutton, there’s still work to do but he is buoyed by the direct goal contributions he is already racking up in green and white.
The pundit said [Daily Record]: “It’s a bloated squad that’s slightly thin on quality. The positives are that Luis Palma is showing real promise. The jury is still out despite superb numbers in terms of goals and assets. He’s got seven goals and eight assists in just 18 appearances – including setting up three against Aberdeen and scoring one himself.
“There are wide players who don’t produce those stats over an entire season. It’s tough for him as he has big boots to fill as Jota’s apparent replacement. But he doesn’t look overawed by the challenge.
“He’s certainly got a deadly right foot, but the good thing about Palma is that he’s learning all the time. He was hitting the byline against Aberdeen and mixing up his game.
His cross for Oh’s goal with the outside of his right boot was a touch of class and brought back memories of Lubo Moravcik. Don’t get me wrong, he’s got a long way to go to get to Lubo’s level but I do think there’s more to come from him.”
Still just 23 and adapting to a different footballing environment, the best is yet to come from Palma and his increasing confidence is a joy to watch.
Hyeongyu Oh beginning to flourish under Rodgers
Another young player hitting his stride at the Bhoys just now is South Korean striker Hyeongyu Oh, a player that Sutton has previously raised concerns about.
In recent weeks, however, he’s started to show he is beginning to adapt to what Rodgers wants from him. He battered in a crucial winner at home to St Mirren then piled the misery on Aberdeen with a quality double last time out.
Sutton is encouraged, stating [Daily Record]: “Oh has shown some real signs of potential at the club and you’d think he’d get more opportunities in the hectic run up to the winter shutdown.
“I like his attitude. He’s not had much game time this season but has kept working away and waiting for his chance. In recent weeks he has grabbed it. There’s still a lot of polish required but there’s definitely a player there – and there will have to be.”
The upcoming schedule will be a real test for both players. Celtic play 11 matches in 38 days before the winter break, which will test the full depth of Rodgers’ squad.
Palma will be a consistent starter and Oh should now get some more opportunities in the team, too. Hopefully, they continue to impress fans and pundits.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers praises “analytically brilliant” coach who followed him to Celtic from Leicester.
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