Celtic signing Luis Palma was ‘decided on one team’ despite Rangers approach
Celtic signing Luis Palma has admitted that he was “decided on one team” having been made aware of an approach from Rangers this summer.
The winger joined the ranks at Celtic Park from Greek Super League side Aris, having been of interest to several sides across Europe, but could well have been lining up for the Gers instead in Sunday’s (3 September) Old Firm derby.
Palma was identified as a target of the Ibrox club this summer as Michael Beale was set to refresh his forward options [Athlos News, 27 May], but for whatever reason the Honduras international never completed the switch to the blue side of Glasgow.
Discussing Rangers’ interest, as quoted by the Daily Record (31 August) he said: “My agent told me there was contact with Rangers, but when I knew of Celtic’s interest, I was only decided on one team and I wanted to come here.”
Added spice
The Old Firm derby really doesn’t need any extra spice added to it, but Palma’s comments will surely just sprinkle a bit more fire into Sunday’s meeting between the two sides. After all, they both have plenty to prove.
Rangers have managed to do plenty of business without the addition of the 23-year-old and Beale has refreshed his forward options in the exact manner he wished to, but so far this season things haven’t clicked as most at Ibrox would have hoped.
The Light Blues have plenty to prove when they face Celtic, having crashed out of the Champions League in disastrous style and they are currently facing plenty of scrutiny, with Beale the man feeling the most pressure so far.
Luckily, the clash with their Glasgow rivals offers the perfect opportunity to not only show Palma why he made the wrong call in choosing his destination this summer, but also rid the memory of the defeat to PSV and turn all the criticism back on Brendan Rodgers’ side.
In other Rangers news, one pundit has questioned whether Celtic could also hijack Rangers’ move for Harry Souttar