Celtic’s Luis Palma hasn’t enjoyed a good start to the season under Brendan Rodgers. He’s been limited to two substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership and played two more matches in the cup competition.
The 24-year-old has been left out of the Honduras squad for the ongoing international break. Last week, El Heraldo reported he wants to take advantage of this break to focus on regaining his form at Celtic.
This is now backed up by Diario Diez. They add the Celtic player asked Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda not to consider him for October’s matches.
There’s been different versions, especially on social media, on reasons for the forward’s absence from the national team squad. Diez makes no mention of what these versions are. They had a chat with his father, Enrique, who has now responded to these claims.
Palma Sr. is aware of his son’s situation at Celtic, where Brendan Rodgers is favouring others ahead of the Honduras international. This only motivates Luis to regain his place at Celtic Park.
“You have to remember that other players are doing very well, as he tells me, ‘Here it’s just work, work and work to earn the manager’s trust again and do things well’ and that’s the mentality he has to see if he grabs,” Enrique explained.
“Things are going very well for his team. There’s no difference or anything like that. We just have to hope that his chance will come.
“Last year he also had a dip, but in the end, he overcame it and managed to do good things again and my son is trying to assimilate things to raise his football again. There is no sadness in him because he knows that the tournaments are just beginning, there are still many league and cup games to come and six Champions League games to go.”
Luis’ father has insisted his immediate focus is on regaining his place at the club. At the same time, he has left the door open for a potential move away from Celtic.
“He will be at Celtic right now and focus on the rest of the year and maybe there will be a sale, but what happens to him will depend on his work,” he added.