Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner was highly critical of substitute Luis Palma in Celtic’s 0-0 draw against Dundee this afternoon.
Bonner discussed what confuses him about Palma’s style of play and the limited tactical flexibility of the Honduran winger.
He said: (BBC Sportsound),“I have always wondered why Palma can’t play on the right-hand side, because he can’t play with his left foot.
“He always comes on the inside. When Maeda was still on the pitch, at that point, he could still play on the left and the right-hand side.
“I have said so many times when I watch him play. You have got to be able to go on the outside and the inside. You can’t keep coming in on the inside all the time. You come on the pitch, then you have to make a real impact. I know he had a shot, but that’s all I have seen of him so far. That’s why he’s not in the team, I am afraid.”
It is an interesting question for Bonner: why can’t Palma play on the right wing? His tendency to cut onto his stronger right foot makes him, at times, too predictable for opposition defenders with what he is going to do on the ball.
With Daizen Maeda looking more comfortable off the left, Palma’s style of play has become stale, and a change is certainly needed.
While his willingness to get shots off on goal and play crosses into the box makes him an interesting player to watch, off the left, he doesn’t look as comfortable as he once did.
With Bonner suggesting shifting him to the right with Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest, it isn’t a bad idea.
However, with his lack of pace and tendency to cut inside, why not play Palma in the No. 10 position behind Kyogo Furuhashi?
Palma wants to be on the edge of the box creating chances and shooting, so why not play him there with the ability to drift wide when he chooses to do so?
It is a position that some in the Celtic support have believed he would thrive in.
However, with such great depth in midfield, it is unlikely we will ever see him play there before he likely departs the club in the next six months, with consistent links to MLS.
