Last month, Celtic had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League at Celtic Park. On Tuesday, Brendan Rodgers’ side will face Los Rojiblancos in Madrid.
Luis Palma got his name on the scoresheet against the La Liga side at Celtic Park and he’ll be hoping to impress again for Rodgers’ side tomorrow.
Ahead of the European clash, Mundo Deportivo had a chat with former Celtic star Emilio Izaguirre. He’s currently the sporting director at Motagua, a club based in Honduras, and Mundo wanted his views on the 23-year-old.
Rodgers’ side took Palma from Greek side Aris in the last window, and Izaguirre has now revealed that he was the one who asked Celtic to sign the 23-year-old earlier this year.
Izaguirre knows the winger first-hand, from time with the Honduras’ national team.
“He was with me in the Honduras national team in 2019. He was just starting out, I think he was 18 when they called him up. A great player, he was later at Vida, when we wanted to bring him to Motagua he went to Aris. And after that Celtic signed him,” he said.
“I spoke well about Luis, I told him that they would look at him and that he was a player who could be very useful for the club. He is a young, 22-year-old [now 23] player, who can have a great season and then sell him.”
Palma has enjoyed a good start to his Celtic career by managing five goals and four assists from 15 games this season. The Honduras international’s compatriot has heaped praise on his qualities and versatility.
“He is a very technical player, he is different. He has a good punch, he has a goal and he can play in up to three positions,” Izaguirre explained.
“Technically very good. He can make a difference on set pieces or long-range shots. There are few players like him who have the framework well drawn in their heads. Having players like that who are capable of scoring goals from 35 meters makes a difference.”
Izaguirre believes Celtic could get a result against Diego Simeone’s side and is also hopeful that Palma can get his name on the scoresheet again.
