Luis Palma impresses in post-Celtic position change after Lech Poznan loan

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Luis Palma is very much in the background at Celtic.

The Honduran, who was signed in Brendan Rodgers’ first transfer window in his second spell at the club, was brought to Glasgow after Jota’s departure to Al-Ittihad.

With big shoes to fill, Palma got off to a positive start and scored twice in the Champions League group stages.

But by his second season at Celtic, he was out of Rodgers’ plans. A loan move to Olympiacos in January didn’t do much, and he was left needing a new club this summer.

He completed a loan move to Polish side Lech Poznan in July – and in finding a new role at his new club, he seems to have rediscovered his form.

Luis Palma’s new position out on loan from Celtic

Palma was brought to Celtic from Aris Thessaloniki, where his form as a left winger made him highly-rated in Greece.

A right-footer, he made a habit out of cutting in and whipping the ball with his consistent technique. But when it came to dribbling against his man one-on-one, he was no Sebastian Tounekti.

READ MORE: Lennon Miller opens up on Celtic transfer decision after Brendan Rodgers interest

But in moving to Poland, he has found new form in a new position – playing as a number ten behind the striker.

This has allowed him to get more shots away – something Hoops fans will remember that he absolutely loved to do. He is also getting more touches of the ball in general.

On Monday night, we saw Ousmane Dembele reap the benefits of his move from the wing to a more central position by winning an unlikely Ballon D’Or.

This is not a suggestion that Palma will ever reach that level. But clearly, his skillset being utilised differently has led to an upturn in performances.

An assist in Saturday’s win over Bruk-Bet Termalica has earned rave reviews in Poland, as he enjoys a fruitful on-field relationship with striker Mikael Ishak.

How are Celtic’s other players out on loan doing?

Celtic used all but one of their loan slots when sending players out this summer.

Stephen Welsh is starting in the Scottish Premiership for Motherwell, who have enjoyed a flying start to the season.

So too is Adam Montgomery for Livingston – the left-back has started in all five of Livi’s games so far.

It’s been less positive for Maik Nawrocki however, with an interrupted pre-season leaving him without a competitive minute so far at Hannover 96.

Odin Thiago Holm’s move to LAFC, which concludes in less than two months, has been far from successful. Since moving in January, he has started just one MLS match, and didn’t get a minute in their Club World Cup campaign.