IT WAS a case of ‘tear we go…tear we go’ when Luis Palma thumped in Celtic’s second goal in the 2-2 Champions League drw with Atletico Madrid at Parkhead in midweek.
The £3million arrival from Greek club Aris Thessaloniki didn’t hesitate when the opportunity arose in the 28th minute following a left-wing cross from Daizen Maeda.
Palma controlled the pass in an instant before thrashing a ferocious angled drive past the helpless Jan Oblak with the ball exploding into the net via the right-hand post.
WALLOP…Luis Palma fires a right-foot shot past Jan Oblak for Celtic’s second goal against Atletico Madrid.
That put the Hoops ahead again in their Group E encounter after Antoine Griezmann had nullified Kyogo Furuhashi’s fourth-minute opener. Unfortunately, Alvaro Morata headed in the visitors’ second equaliser 10 minutes after the turnaround.
It was a special evening for Palma who had been robbed of a sensational strike against Lazio in the previous outing when he was adjudged inches offside by VAR.
However, the lively 23-year-old forward was not to be denied against the Spanish cracks as he flashed in his third goal for the champions to add to his counters against Motherwell (2-1) and Kilmarnock (3-1) in the Premiership.
Palma’s dad Enrique revealed his son was so nervous before the match against Diego Simeone’s men he phoned to talk to the family as kick-off neared.
His father revealed: “Luis was nervous before the game and I told him he had to control himself.
“I said to him to put this game in God’s hands and that I and his mother were going to keep him in our prayers. He was anxious and I advised him that he had to control his emotions because he is a high-quality player.
“I feel so proud of my son.”
PALMA IN PARADISE…Celtic’s Honduran star celebrates his unstoppable strike against the Spaniards.
Palma snr, in a report in the Daily Record, added: “I know that the words of encouragement that I gave him before this match he understood very well and he told me that he was going to put them into practice. And he did.
“The truth is, yes there were tears from us when he scored. I’m impressed with everything he did in the game. He is working so hard right now.”
Palma became the first Honduran to score in Europe’s elite competition since Andy Najar netted for Anderlecht in 2014.
The eye-catching international touchline ace will be hoping to add to his reputation when the champions take on Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow afternoon.
