Peter Grant explains why he has been ‘frustrated’ with Celtic winger Luis Palma

Peter Grant explains why he has been ‘frustrated’ with Celtic winger Luis Palma

When Luis Palma joined Celtic in the summer, he had big shoes to fill because he was effectively replacing Saudi-bound, Jota.

If you weren’t comparing Luis Palma with anyone, then you would be pretty pleased with what he has produced during the first few months in Celtic colours. They are encouraging signs.

But if you pit him up against Jota, then there is a long way to go and you can pluck out little things that need to be worked on.

One area of Luis Palma’s game that has left Peter Grant ‘frustrated’ is his decision-making, as he told Go Radio.

When speaking about the efforts of Greg Taylor on the left channel, Peter Grant feels, at times, the £3.5 million summer capture ‘takes too many touches’ when the club’s left-back motors forward.

Luis Palma isn’t someone with express pace or brute power that allows him to go past someone over five yards.

Given that he gives himself extra time to think, perhaps that results in overthinking and slower play, but that’s probably something you can throw at several players this term.

Luis Palma and Greg Taylor

“I think Greg Taylor was a left winger as a kid and then went back to left-back,” said Grant.

MORE CELTIC STORIES

“So, the position actually suits him because he can handle the ball with his back to it, at times.

“I think he is very unselfish at helping Palma, at times because he runs by him and I get frustrated with Palma because he should just play Taylor. Or if Greg does the dummy and goes by him, then he should deliver.

“He takes too many touches. And then Greg has to go all the way back. I think that gets unseen at times.”

Celtic defeat to Hearts

That’s one fans don’t want to watch again and scenes you simply haven’t seen in a long while.

Brendan Rodgers’ first spell as manager was near-on perfect. The domestic success was out of this world and deserved.

But everything tastes a lot different now and matters were made worse following the defeat to Hearts.

That’s back-to-back losses and the on-field performances are not improving, with the Rangers game on the horizon.

Things need to change ASAP, or else, it could get a lot worse.