Luis Palma’s return to Olympiacos’ starting XI against AEK Athens on a cold night was certainly a memorable one, albeit for all the wrong reasons. While the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Greek side, the bigger picture tells a more optimistic story for both Palma and Olympiacos. Thanks to a dominant 6-0 lead from the first leg, Olympiacos had already effectively secured their place in the Greek Cup final before stepping out onto the pitch for this second leg. Despite the loss in this match, the aggregate scoreline was more than enough to see them through to the final, continuing their push for silverware this season.

For Palma, however, this particular game didn’t provide the stage he might have hoped for. Having predominantly played on the left-wing during his time at Celtic, he was deployed in a new, unfamiliar position on the right-wing for this encounter. This positional shift seemed to unsettle him, and his performance appeared to lack the usual dynamism we’ve come to expect from the Honduran winger. While it’s not easy for a player to adapt to a new role on the fly, Palma tried hard to make an impact on the game. He showed good work ethic, running at defenders and attempting to create chances, but he struggled to influence proceedings the way he would have liked. This unfamiliarity with the right-wing position clearly hampered his usual fluidity, and his inability to break through the AEK defense was evident. After 81 minutes of trying to make an impact, Palma was substituted, marking the end of what can only be described as a frustrating evening for the 25-year-old.

However, while this individual performance may not have been one to write home about, it should not define Palma’s loan spell at Olympiacos. In fact, his contribution to the team over the course of the season will ultimately be measured by his role in their overall success, rather than by a single match. The club’s dominant aggregate scoreline from the first leg of the Greek Cup semi-final means that the defeat in the second leg has had minimal impact on their progression. Olympiacos are still firmly in the hunt for silverware, with a place in the Greek Cup final secured and a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the Greek Super League. With such strong domestic performances, there is still a chance for Palma to play a key role in helping Olympiacos lift both the league and cup titles this season. If he can continue to show glimpses of his quality, especially in the more significant fixtures ahead, his involvement in a potential league and cup double would be a fantastic achievement for him personally.

Looking ahead to Palma’s future, the prospect of a permanent move to Olympiacos seems increasingly likely. Currently, he is on loan from Celtic, but the Greek club reportedly holds a £3.3 million release clause in their agreement, giving them the option to buy the winger outright in the summer. Given the trajectory of Olympiacos this season—competing strongly in the league and reaching the Greek Cup final—it’s becoming clear that the club’s ambitions are growing. If Palma continues to contribute to their success, particularly with a more prominent role in the latter stages of the season, Olympiacos will likely be keen to exercise the option to purchase him permanently.

The notion of a permanent move will likely be appealing to both Palma and Olympiacos. For Palma, the opportunity to continue playing in Greece and potentially secure silverware could be a major confidence booster after his mixed spell at Celtic. He was one of the more exciting acquisitions when he arrived in Glasgow, but his time at Celtic Park didn’t unfold as he might have hoped. While his early performances showed promise, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in a team filled with strong competition for places. At Olympiacos, however, Palma has been given a more consistent run of appearances, which could be the kind of platform he needs to reach his potential.

For Olympiacos, the potential permanent acquisition of Palma makes sense on several fronts. The club is growing in stature both domestically and in European competition, and with the €3.3 million release clause in place, acquiring a talented player like Palma would be an investment worth making. His flashes of brilliance since joining on loan suggest that, with more experience in the Greek league, he could become an even more important player for the club. If he continues to impress and helps Olympiacos secure a domestic double, the club will likely want to retain him and build their future around him as a key player.

From Celtic’s perspective, a permanent move for Palma might also be a positive outcome. Although the winger showed promise in his early days at Celtic, he struggled to secure a consistent starting position under Brendan Rodgers. While he started with some exciting performances, the competition for places in the squad, coupled with Rodgers’ tactical preferences, meant Palma didn’t get the game time he needed to truly settle in. For Celtic, if Olympiacos do decide to trigger the release clause and Palma moves permanently, it could provide the club with a decent financial return. Given that Palma failed to truly make his mark at Celtic, this deal could work out for both clubs, with Celtic receiving a solid fee and freeing up the winger to continue his development at Olympiacos.

The timing of the permanent transfer could also coincide with Palma’s success in securing silverware with Olympiacos. Should he help the club lift both the Greek Super League and Greek Cup, the move would take on an even more symbolic meaning. It would represent not just a successful loan spell but a triumphant chapter in his career, one that likely solidifies his place at Olympiacos. The chance to win two trophies in a season would only add to the winger’s confidence and motivation, making the potential for a permanent move even stronger. Given how important silverware is for a club like Olympiacos, especially after years of dominant domestic performances, it’s easy to see why they’d want to tie down a player who could be a key figure in their future successes.

As the season progresses and Olympiacos’ title hopes continue to look strong, Palma’s role will be under close scrutiny. With an important Greek Cup final ahead and a potential league title to secure, Palma has the opportunity to prove his worth on the biggest stage. While his performance against AEK Athens may not have been the most memorable, his overall contributions to the team over the coming months will likely define his time in Greece. If he can help Olympiacos reach the pinnacle of both domestic competitions and continue to grow in his role, there’s little doubt that a permanent transfer will be on the cards. For Palma, the next few months could be pivotal in shaping the future of his career, with Olympiacos offering a promising environment to thrive.

For Celtic, the possibility of parting ways with Palma may not be a negative outcome, as it allows the club to reassess its squad options while potentially receiving a fair return on the investment they made in the player. Regardless of what the future holds, Palma’s time at Olympiacos will likely prove to be a defining chapter in his career, and his performances over the next few months will ultimately determine if that chapter continues beyond this summer.