Brendan Rodgers, by hook or by crook, got his response

It was great to see the smiles return to faces at Celtic Park last night. The supporters enjoyed it, the players looked as though a weight had been lifted from their shoulders, and the manager positively glowed in the reflected glory of a badly needed victory…

Celtic starting eleven team group, before kick off. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Had Celtic lost, or even drawn, progression in the Europa League would have been a tall order. Now, at least, it feels possible. Not guaranteed, far from it, but possible. And that alone has likely changed the mood around the club.

Before the match, in Wednesday’s press conference, Brendan Rodgers had looked tired and strained. Under pressure, perhaps. Certainly defensive. Asked again about his now-infamous Honda Civic vs Ferrari analogy, he refused to backtrack. In fact, he doubled down. He claimed the remark was aimed at the lack of pace in the team.

Celtic vs Sturm, 23 October 2025. UEFA Europa League, Celtic Glasgow vs SK Sturm Graz. Image shows team of Celtic a team of Sturm. Photo GEPA pictures Chris Bauer (IMAGO)

By the time last night came around, however, that subtle message had undergone a full repackage. Now, Rodgers said, the comment was a dig the players needed, one they understood and accepted because of the strong relationship he has with them.

It was quite a transformation in interpretation, quite a spin cycle, but it came out clean. After all, the important thing, as ever in football, is the result. Celtic won. The performance was strong. The changes worked. And smiles returned.

Celtic Park under the lights before kick off Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, – 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Even when the injuries began to pile up on the night, the team continued to show belief and purpose. That will bring encouragement at Lennoxtown today. The players earned that return to confidence. The manager even took the analogy further after the match, the Civic had now become a Land Rover Sport, he joked, and there would be no Morris Minors tolerated going forward. Funny how a good result and performance can polish even the clumsiest metaphor.

Liam Scales of Celtic celebrates with Colby Donovan of Celtic after scoring to tie the game 1-1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Recently, Rodgers has been scrutinised. The sit-down BBC interview was received coolly. His “I’m a transformational coach” line seemed at odds with his “never been more motivated” insistence in the same breath. When Rodgers confuses, he confuses thoroughly. Some supporters suspected he was working his ticket. Some saw another dig at those upstairs. Others felt he was delivering a rocket to his squad. The truth may well contain pieces of all three.

But last night, by hook or by crook, he got his response.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor applauds the fans at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Celtic beat Sturm Graz 2-1. An organised side. A competitive side. And we didn’t just ride our luck, we created a multitude of chances, scored two, and could easily have scored more. There was, at last, the outline of a solution on the right-hand side with Benjamin Nygren wide, Colby Donovan supporting and Arne Engels playing ever so well inside the pair of them. Rodgers has been searching for that combination for weeks, now he may finally have found it.

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic applauds the fans at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, UK – 23 Oct 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

If Rodgers has indeed been signalling his availability in recent weeks, it should not surprise anyone. His contract ends in May. He has to think of his future. But for Celtic, what matters is simple, he must get a tune out of the Ferrari, Honda, Land Rover, or whatever vehicle metaphor we are driving this week. Last night, he did.

So, however this has been digested in the press, however it was framed by the manager, and however the supporters interpreted the contradictions, what mattered most was the players’ response. The ends justified the means. The performance has bought time, restored belief, and reopened possibility.

Now, though, it must be the start of something, not another brief reprieve before exiting at the next junction.

We can only hope we’re motoring now. Whatever car we’re driving.

Niall J

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