John Hartson tells peripheral Brendan Rodgers signing how to force way back into Celtic picture

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Celtic have been in inspired form this campaign as Brendan Rodgers’ summer signings start to make a telling impact on their recent run of results.

During the window, Arne Engels became the Bhoys’ record buy at £11 million and has gone on to register two goals and three assists in seven appearances.

Luke McCowan, Adam Idah, Paulo Bernardo, and Adam Idah are among others who have made an impact, but the wide areas were a position Rodgers didn’t feel the need to add to in the summer.

Relying on his internal Celtic squad strength from last season, the Irishman has overseen a marked improvement in Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda’s end product.

The pair have combined to contribute 21 goals this term, while the likes of James Forrest continues to be a reliable source of productivity from the flanks.

However, positive form can create competition for places, and John Hartson has evaluated the situation of a peripheral Celtic star who has fallen down the pecking order in recent times.

John Hartson on Luis Palma’s Celtic situation

Luis Palma joined Celtic for £3.5 million last summer to become one of Rodgers’ first window signings since returning north of the border.

Despite scoring ten times and laying on another ten assists in 32 appearances last term, he has been on the periphery circa 2024/25, featuring four times across all competitions where his performances haven’t hit the heights of his debut campaign.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Hartson believes Palma will need to work ‘extremely hard’ to show Rodgers he warrants a place at Celtic amid stiff competition for places in the wide berths.

Hartson said: “I think first of all, he came to the club and he had some good moments. I remember this goal up at Ross County where it was a wonderful strike. I’m not sure, I think Celtic won comfortable that day. It wasn’t the winning goal or nothing. And for me, Luis Palma has had numerous opportunities to go and really perform at a high level for himself. I think he hasn’t.”

“I think he’s dropped in terms of his performances. And now it looks like he’s going to have to work extremely hard with Maeda playing in his position on the left and obviously the likes of Forrest and Kuhn playing over on the other side.

“For Palma to stay at Celtic, he’s going to have to get his head down, train well, show the manager that he’s got the right attitude to get back into the side.

“I’ve no doubt that he might get a few more opportunities. But the fact was, he was in this team. The jersey was his to lose and he seems to have not performed on a regular basis. It looks like he’s lost his place.”

Celtic’s fixture schedule could help Luis Palma’s bid for minutes

While he looks to battle his way back into the Celtic side, Palma may have some joy in achieving that feat owing to the hectic fixture schedule his side will negotiate after the international break.

Everyone knows about the anticipation when the Bhoys face Aberdeen on October 19th, which will swiftly be followed by a trip to face Atalanta on Champions League matchday three.

Looking at post-European fixtures or ones in between, the Hoops’ away trip to Motherwell or home clash against Dundee at the tail end of the month could be where Palma gets a chance to re-enter the fold.

There is talent there with Palma, but proving he can contribute is the next step in order to give himself a genuine shot at reclaiming a place in the limelight.