Celtic were urged to sign £12m striker and La Liga forward in summer

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Former Celtic hero Emilio Izaguirre admits he recommended Alberth Elis and Anthony Lozano to the Scottish Premiership champions alongside fellow Honduran Luis Palma. 

The Hoops might have decided against following Izaguirre’s advice with regards to Elis and Lozano – a pair of Honduras international centre-forwards plying their trade for Bordeaux and Las Palmas respectively – but, when it came to Luis Palma, it seems this was an opportunity Celtic were reluctant to miss out on.

After spending much of the summer being linked with a move to Rangers, the former Aris winger ended the window as a Celtic player instead. A £3.5 million punt which is already starting to reap rewards.

“I was in March playing a legends match between Celtic and Liverpool. I met Michael (Nichlolson, Celtic CEO) and recommended Palma and other players like Elis or Lozano,” Izaguirre tells Mundo Deportivo.  

“I spoke well about Luis. I told him that they would look at him and that he was a player who could be of great benefit to the club. He is a young 22-year-old player who can have a great season and then (Celtic can) sell him.” 

Luis Palma impressing at Celtic

After only a couple of months in Glasgow, one suspects Celtic could already make a comfortable profit on their £3.5 million investment. Palma idolises Cristiano Ronaldo and has scored a couple of goals the Manchester United legend would have been proud off, including a thumping finish in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid. 

“(Palma) is a very technical player. He is different,” adds Izaquirre, who won seven successive Scottish Premiership titles at Parkhead. “He has a good shot, he has a goal (in him) and can play in up to three positions. Technically very good.

“He can make a difference from set pieces or with long-distance shots. There are few players like him. Having players like that who are capable of scoring goals from 35 metres makes a difference.” 

Elis and Lozano struggle as Palma shines

The £12 million-rated Alberth Elis, meanwhile, has just two goals in seven games for Bordeaux in France’s second tier this term. That is still two more than Anthony ‘Choco’ Lozano, goalless since joining Getafe on a free over the summer.