This season, Celtic has been playing at a high level, and Brendan Rodgers’ summer acquisitions have had a significant influence on their current performance.
Arne Engels, who cost £11 million during the transfer window, set a new record for the Bhoys and has since recorded two goals and three assists in seven games.
Although a number of players have had an impact, including Luke McCowan, Adam Idah, Paulo Bernardo, and Adam Idah, Rodgers didn’t feel the need to add to the wide areas in the summer.
The Irishman has observed a noticeable improvement in the final product produced by Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda, relying on his own Celtic squad strength from the previous campaign.
Together, the two have scored 21 goals this season, and James Forrest and other players like him are still a consistent source of production from the wings.
But good form can make things competitive, and John Hartson has assessed the circumstances surrounding a peripheral Celtic star who has recently dropped in the rankings.
John Hartson on the situation in Celtic for Luis Palma
Luis Palma was one of Rodgers’ first window acquisitions after moving back north of the border when he signed with Celtic for £3.5 million last summer.
In spite of his ten goals and ten assists in 32 games during the previous season, he has been marginalised since 2024–2025 and has only appeared four times in all competitions when his play hasn’t reached the heights of his breakthrough year.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Hartson said Palma will have to put in “extremely hard” work to convince Rodgers that, in the face of fierce competition for spots in the wide positions, he deserves a spot at Celtic.
“I think first of all, he came to the club and he had some good moments,” Hartson remarked. This goal was a fantastic strike at Ross County, as I recall. I’m not sure, but I believe Celtic won that day with ease. Not the game-winning goal, or nothing at all. Furthermore, in my opinion, Luis Palma has had plenty of chances to go out and truly give it his best for himself. I don’t believe he has.
“I believe his performances have declined. Now that Maeda is occupying his spot on the left and Forrest and Kuhn are clearly playing on the opposite side, it appears like he will need to put in a lot of effort.
Palma needs to put in a lot of effort, practice hard, and convince the manager that he has what it takes to be a member of the team if he wants to stay at Celtic.
“I have no doubt that he will get a few more chances. That being said, he was a member of this team. He didn’t seem to have played consistently, and the jersey was his to lose. It appears that he has fallen out of favour.
The Celtic calendar of games could support Luis Palma’s request for playing time.
Due to the demanding schedule his team will face following the international break, Palma may find some satisfaction in his efforts to fight his way back into the Celtic lineup.
Everyone is aware of the excitement leading up to the Bhoys’ October 19th match against Aberdeen. Shortly after, on October 19, they will travel to Atalanta for the third round of the Champions League.
When considering post-European games or those in between, Palma may have an opportunity to rejoin the team for the Hoops’ home game against Dundee at the end of the month or their away trip to Motherwell.
Although Palma has skill, he needs to demonstrate his ability to contribute in order to have a real chance of taking centre stage again.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
