Hurting Luis Palma returns to Celtic with point to prove as Honduras hook proves unpopular with angry fans

Luis Palma insists he’ll knuckle down and fight for a starting spot at Celtic to help him recover from Nations League agony with Honduras.

The winger was a national hero last week when he climbed off the bench to score twice and help dump Mexico 2-0 in the CONCACAF Nations league quarter final first leg. But after being handed a start for the return in Toluca on Wednesday the 24-year-old was subbed at half time then criticised by boss Reinaldo Rueda as the Mexicans ran out 4-0 winners.
Rueda claimed Palma struggled with the altitude on the outskirts of Mexico City and left team mate Joseph Rosales isolated against Mexico’s right flank. Palma will now return to Scotland ahead of Celtic’s Premiership trip to face Hearts on Saturday evening. With only seven Hoops appearances and two starts to his name this season he is unlikely to feature from the start in Gorgie.
But asked if he is going to work hard to win his place back at Celtic, Palma told Deportes TVC in Mexico: “Yes. Work, there is no choice but to work and to keep looking for opportunity.”
Palma admitted throwing away a 2-0 lead against the Mexican hurt but added: “They’re right, the height (altitude) was heavy but, as I said, it’s not an excuse. We had to play an intelligent game and we didn’t.
“We’ll keep working and look for the mistakes in this game to continue to work. It’s very hard to lose. No one likes it. We are hurt as a group but we have to move forward. There are many play-off games coming to go to the World Cup. We are aware of what we stopped doing and what we can do.”