Emilio Izaguirre has some home truths for struggling Luis Palma at ‘very demanding’ Celtic

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Luis Palma started his Celtic career in lightning fashion after signing in the summer of 2023.

The Honduran winger scored eight goals before the turn of the year, including two in the Champions League, while also contributing nine assists.

Since then, however, he’s only managed three direct goal contributions and has lost his place as a regular starter in Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Last week against Falkirk, it was clear his efforts were a step below what either Daizen Maeda or Nicolas Kuhn offer as wingers, and there are valid question marks about his role at Celtic.

Now one of his compatriots and personal icons has delivered some advice in his homeland.

Luis Palma urged to find what’s ‘missing’ at Celtic

Former Celtic hero Emilio Izaguirre, who helped sell the club to Palma last summer, said [Futbol Centro America]: “If you are a 200 per cent professional, you have to be 1,000 per cent. You have to learn to eat, sleep and train at 2,000 per cent because there you will find teammates who are more professional than you where you compete internally.

“Celtic are a very demanding team like their fans. If he’s not in the starting lineup, he’s missing something, they don’t leave anything out. Even in training there are cameras to see what everyone is doing.

“Something must be going on, and he should be worried because they do not spare anyone there. He is a great boy and player. Hopefully, this season, he will return to the starting lineup

“You can’t get sick, get injured. When I got injured, they hired two left-backs. I trained and climbed a mountain to test myself, it’s a mental thing. I came back and took over the position. That’s the mentality that every athlete should have, you have to improve with hard work.”

More game time will come for Palma

Despite an uninspiring display against Falkirk, the reality is that Celtic’s schedule means Palma will get more opportunities.

The Bhoys will play a lot of football over the next few months, and even if there are no injuries, the Honduran should be rotated into the team from time to time.

It’s up to him to show he is capable of fitting into Rodgers’ high-pressing, hard-working system. If he can’t up his levels, then Izaguirre is spot on; Celtic will quickly pursue other options.