In a post-match interview with CeltsAreHere, Brendan Rodgers shed light on his decision to substitute Luis Palma at half-time against Kilmarnock.
The Irishman also emphasised the need for greater efficiency on the pitch, particularly on Palma’s side, who was experiencing challenges in ball retention and creating chances.
Rodgers said: “We weren’t getting enough efficiency on that side of the pitch. We were losing the ball too easily.”
This insight into the tactical adjustment highlights Palma’s poor first half and was in fact not substituted due to an injury.
The substitution saw Yang Hyun-jun introduced into the game, with Rodgers expressing hope that Yang’s playing style would inject more directness into Celtic’s attacks.
He said: “We bring Yang in to be hopefully a bit more direct and get in behind and try and beat the fullback in the one vs one.”
Ultimately, Yang was ineffective in the second half, as was Palma in the first, with each player failing to replace Jota’s output.
Celtic looks to have seriously regressed, particularly in wide areas in failing to replace the Portuguese winger.
Despite signing three wingers in the summer to replace one player, Celtic have underinvested in players whose immediate impact is not at the level of Jota’s in his two seasons at the club.
Despite impressive performances this season, Palma continues to fail to find consistency.
