Luis Palma says playing for Celtic in the Champions League can take his game to the “next level.”

The Honduras winger has been gradually improving and showing the qualities he can bring since signing for the Hoops in the summer – the biggest moment yet being when he scored from distance against Motherwell. That could have been topped against Lazio in the UCL, but that strike after cutting in from the left on his right foot was disallowed for an offside.

But it was still a moment which gave the 23-year-old immense pride even if ultimately the goal was snatched from him. He’s now determined to keep at it to carry on the dream of mixing it up at that level and feels it will help his game improve.

On the way back from international duty after a 4-0 win over Cuba, he was stopped at the airport by local press.

Asked if Celtic can take him to a new level, Palma said: “The truth is yes. I’m working day to day, every week, every match to give the best version of myself to get better as a person, as a football player and to help the national team when they need me and to give my best when I get here.

“On my (Champions League) debut it was a dream that was accomplished ever since I was a child. I’m going to work every game, every minute, every second of the Champions League to continue that dream.

“It was a marvellous moment, it was nice and to say I had scored in the Champions League in that moment before it wasn’t to be. I’m going to keep working, it will make me stronger this game…it’s football. I can tell you it was difficult in the final moment not to score because I had a great game.”

Looking ahead to facing Atletico Madrid, he added: “It’s a team I admire, the football they play with Cholo (Diego Simeone). It will be a difficult game but we all intend as a club to do the best we can to bring a trophy home.”