The Verdict on Luis Palma and Yang’s Performances vs Dundee

Brendan Rodgers rang the changes for Celtic’s midweek clash against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor, Tony Ralston, and Arne Engels coming into the team wasn’t overly surprising, but the Irishman throwing fringe wing duo Luis Palma and Yang Hyun-jun into the lineup for their first starts of the season defied the odds.

Palma bagged a hat-trick against Sligo Rovers in an international break friendly a few weeks ago yet flattered to deceive last night.

Aside from a teasing first-half delivery to the back post and a long-range drive which stung the palms of Jon McCracken in the second, the Honduran didn’t muster much in a frustrating evening.

Palma was wasteful with the ball and failed to seize his opportunity in the starting lineup, so Rodgers withdrew him before the hour mark.

Yang Average

On the opposite flank, Yang showed flashes of potential.

He did well for Celtic’s opener, dropping the shoulder and crossing in for Alistair Johnston, who smuggled the ball home.

The South Korean could have had himself on the scoresheet, too, if he connected with Palma’s aforementioned back-post cross in the opening 45.

Still just 22, Yang has more room for growth than Palma, 24, and continually shows positive signs without putting in a truly consistent performance.

Both players are nowhere near first-choice for Celtic, though, and perhaps their displaus last night point towards the Hoops’ concerning lack of depth in the wide areas.

Rodgers is one or two injuries away from consistently relying on one of Yang or Palma on big European nights.

Signing a winger should be at the top of the manager’s priority list in January if it wasn’t already.