Honduras went wild as Luis scored in Europe
Palma is on his knees after scoring against Atletico at Parkhead in Champions League
Luis Palma has pledged to conjure up more Champions League cheer for Celtic fans – and a captivated audience in Honduras.
The Hoops winger overcame the agony of his disallowed goal against Lazio by netting in the 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
That sent Parkhead wild and helped bag Celts their first point of the campaign from a pulsating tie.
And it was a big cause for celebration back in Palma’s homeland.
Palma is only the third Honduran to score in Europe’s premier competition.
Andy Najar struck for Anderlecht against Arsenal nine years agoo and, all the way back in 1966, Jose Cardona scored in the European Cupup for Tuesday’s opponents Atletico.
Palma revealed he’ l l bee inspired in Spain this midweekk by the idea of making morere history – and his nation happy.y.
The 23-year- old, who scoreded another screamer in the win overver
Ross County yesterday, said: “The reaction to my goal back home was crazy – everyone was happy.
“I got a lot of messages fromom friends and family who are closese to me. That’s my big motivation.n. To play for them, to keep working hard and keep playing for the national team. It was an important game for Celtic and it was so good to score. It means a lot for my career and especially for my nation and family.
“I am the only player, at this moment, from my country to be playing in the Champions League.
“Not a lot of players from Honduras have played in the competition.
“So I want to take every opportunity I can to score. I will just keep working hard to get more goals for the team.”team.
Palma thought he had plundered a historic goal three weeks earlier against Lazio, only to be undone by an offside call against Daizen Maeda. Celts celebrated going 2-1 up against the Italians before VAR intervened and Pedro piled on the agony with a last-gasp winner for the Serie A giants.
“That was hard to take,” said Palma. “But it is just a memory now.
“Things pass and I concentrate on the next game. I scored against Atletico so I’m glad to have that goal.
“I didn’t doubt that one would stand. It was just a shame that we couldn’t get the wiwin.
“EveEvery game in the Champions LeaguLeague is difficult.
“AgAgainst Atletico we will just work as hardhar as we can to do even better than we did in the last game.
“TThis time it will be different becabecause they are at home with their fansfans. They will have to deal with the pressure of being obliged to win the game.
“FFor us, it’s important to play intintelligently and to get some poipoints away from home.
“The group is hard but we’ve gogot one point so let’s see how it gogoes from here. We want as many points as possible and it would be great to get a qualification to take us forward.”
The Hoops are bottom following defeats to Feyenoord and Lazio and need a result on Tuesday to stay in touch.
The Champions League is a harsh learning curve but playing in the top tournament is just one of the plus points of Palma’s Parkhead switch.
He signed from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki for £ 3.5million and loves it in Scotland – apar t f rom the plunging temperatures.
He has fitted in fine with Brendan Rodgers and loves that the gaffer has the gift of the Spanish gab.
Palma said: “The sun hides quite quickly. That’s the only thing – it’s very cold – but I like the city.
“The manager has been speaking to me in Spanish but I also have to study my English and that’s going not so bad.
“The manager has been very good overall. He takes care of me and wants to improve me.
“Obviously, I’m listening to him and working every day to get better.
“I enjoy playing in this team and think I understand what the other players want. Hopefully, together, we can get some achievements.”