Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told wing duo Yang Hyun-jun and Luis Palma that they must hit the ground running after poor displays against Dundee United on Sunday.
With injuries to Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest, the fringe pair were drafted in and given significant minutes.
Yang started on the right-hand side as Palma came on with half an hour to go. The pair, however, failed to set the heather alight as the Hoops faltered to a disappointing goalless draw.
United defended well, but neither of the duo could devise a moment of magic to unlock a stubborn backline.
Speaking in the lead-up to this afternoon’s clash with Motherwell, Hoops boss Rodgers admitted that when they come into the team again, Yang and Palma must perform immediately: “You need to come in and hit the ground running,” he said (The Celtic Way).
“They have been out of the picture for a long time but they train to a level and they come in and do their best. They work every day to allow them to be physically good and then you are just looking for that bit of magic from one of them that can unlock a defence.
“Luis had a good shot and I thought it was going into the bottom corner until the centre half got a block on it but that’s the possibility for these guys. We have so many games and we will need everyone to contribute.”
Yang and Palma flattered to deceive last time out. Their sub-par performances come amid news that Celtic will be looking to sign another winger in January.
The Scottish Premiership champions have had an over-reliance on Kuhn and Daizen Maeda in the opening half of the campaign. They could do with another quality option out wide to limit dependence on said duo.
The window opens in just under a week, with fans hoping for some early activity ahead of a busy month.
