Chris Sutton has expressed his belief that Luis Palma struggled to make a significant impact despite Celtic’s commanding 3-0 victory over St Mirren on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old played a part in Celtic’s swift 2-0 lead within the first ten minutes, with Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley finding the net. Nevertheless, after 55 minutes, Brendan Rodgers substituted Luis Palma for Hyunjun Yang, a change that marked a straightforward tactical adjustment rather than a response to any visible struggle from Palma. Subsequently, the team secured their third goal through Greg Taylor, lovingly dubbed the ‘Robin van Persie’ by some fans.

During commentary, Chris Sutton remarked on Sky Sports Football (02/01/24 at 6:15 pm) that “things haven’t quite come off” for Luis Palma, noting that with the return of Liel Abada from injury and Daizen Maeda’s resurgence, competition for spots in the wider areas at Celtic has increased, necessitating a need for players like Palma to elevate their performances.

While Palma’s £3.5 million move to Parkhead has shown promise, his style differs notably from that of Jota, who recently departed the club. Despite lacking the sheer speed and power of the Al-Ittihad winger, Palma possesses astute ball control, adept playmaking abilities, and a knack for facilitating link-up play.

Palma’s statistical record is undoubtedly impressive, with nine goals and 12 assists across all competitions, including nine assists from 17 Premiership matches. This is a commendable start, indicating the Honduran’s potential for further growth and contribution as the season progresses.