The international week is now in full flow after the Celtic fans took in the first round of friendly fixtures where they watched James Forrest’s Scotland return.
The Celtic winger earned his 39th cap in the 2-0 win over Gibraltar last night after some late-season form for Brendan Rodgers earned him the call from Steve Clarke to be a candidate for the Euro 2024 squad.
Scotland and Forrest struggled to break down a dogged Gibraltar defence but the Celtic icon may get another chance to impress against Finland on Friday night at Hampden.
They will also get the chance to see Luis Palma turn out for Honduras as the Celtic winger prepares to take on Cuba and Bermuda for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this week.
Palma was speaking to the media when he was asked if the door was open at Celtic for more of his countrymen to join him in Glasgow.
Luis Palma’s ‘no closed door’ Celtic message
Palma is only the second-ever Honduran to pull on the green and white Hoops of Celtic in our history.
Cult hero, Emilio Izzaguire, was the first and after ending what many Celtic fans would agree was an inconsistent season for the 24-year-old, Palma has laid down a challenge to his international teammates.
Palma said [Diez], “No, because if I could, other Hondurans could come, so it will be important for the player to have the responsibility to reach a higher level.
“So what I did that season, they may be looking for other Hondurans, there is no closed window, there is no closed house.
“It will be important, not only at Celtic but that Europe can expand the number of Catrachos.”
Celtic where once urged to sing Palma’s Honduran teammate, Anthony ‘Choco’ Lozano and Alberth Elis, by Izagguire after the former Hoops icon claimed he recommended both players to Michael Nicholson.
Would Celtic look to Honduras again as part of their recruitment drive? If Palma’s signing is anything to go by then I don’t see why not.
Depsite struggling in the second half of this season, the Honduran scored eight of his ten goals, including two in the Champions League, pre-Christmas.
Palma has certainly shown he has what it takes to play for Celtic. And if any of his international teammates show that promise, I’m sure the club would be first in line to take a look at them.