Celtic have reportedly pleaded with the Honduran FA to limit the minutes of Luis Palma because of concerns over their pitch in their international break.
And Honduras boss Reinaldo Rueda revealed he then had to sub Palma off at half time in Mexico because he couldn’t cope with the high altitude of the venue. Palma has been lightly used by Celtic this season and has made just one league start and three substitute appearances so far this campaign.
He was on international duty this week in a rollercoaster few days where he netted a double after coming off the bench in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter finals. But he played for only the first 45 minutes in the return leg where Honduras were crushed 4-0 and eliminated. And reports from the Central American country state Celtic asked Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda to restrict the amount of minutes for Palma in the home leg because of the artificial surface at the General Francisco Morazan Stadium in San Pedro Sula.
And that’s why despite being Honduras’ star man, he wasn’t brought on until the 63rd minute. Rueda also hooked Palma at half time in the return leg at Toluca, which is 2,600 metres above sea level. The manager explained: “Luis had a hard time with altitude previously and it was always going to be hard for him here. Unfortunately, the full back had the better of him and we made a change because Mexico attacked us a lot on his wing.”
The change turned into a disaster for Honduras because his replacement, Juan Carlos Obregon was so impacted by the altitude, he needed oxygen on the pitch and had to be subbed off himself as Honduras crashed to a big defeat.
Meanwhile, Kasper Schmeichel was praised by Serbia boss Dragan Stojkovic after another shut-out. And the Celtic keeper will definitely still be playing for Denmark at the next World Cup at the age of 40, according to former international Mads Junker.
The 38-year-old keeper was widely praised after making several big saves for his country as the Danes grabbed a point in Belgrade after a goalless draw in Serbia. And Serbian legend and current boss Stojkovic admitted: “Kasper Schmeichel made several important saves for Denmark. He is the goalkeeper he is for a reason and he had a big night, unfortunately for us.”
And the veteran shot-stopper has been backed to keep playing for his country until the next World Cup in two years when he will be 40 as he looks set to add to his 111 caps. Ex-Denmark star turned TV pundit Junker said: “I don’t think there is anything to indicate that Schmeichel shouldn’t be our first choice goalkeeper for a long time. It is too ridiculous for there to even be a discussion about it.
“As long as he is fit, he must be our goalkeeper and will be there at the next World Cup in 2026 if we qualify. I think that time and time again he shows the security that is needed there. We can count on him to take the balls he needs to take. He is so important too in terms of communication and the way his body language is, that helps these defenders to play the game.”