The boss was buzzing after the big win and he made something clear

23:16, 23 Oct 2025Updated 23:24, 23 Oct 2025

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans following the UEFA Europa League match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday October 23, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

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Brendan Rodgers reckons his Honda Civic blast jolted Celtic into life – and got them revving like a Range Rover.

Celtic jumpstarted their Europa League campaign by producing a stunning second-half fightback as quick-fire goals from Liam Scales and Ben Nygren secured a priceless 2-1 win over Sturm Graz.

Rodgers took flak for his remarks after Sunday’s shock defeat at Dens Park but hopes his comeback heroes will finally begin to hit top gear.

He said: “Sometimes, like at the weekend, you have to be harsh to be clear. And then you hope that you get that reaction, that these players know that I’m with them always.

“I spend my life dedicated to making this team better, making the individuals better, helping the club progress. And at the weekend, it wasn’t not good enough.

“So tonight, we weren’t quite the Ferrari – a Range Rover Sport, I would have thought. Hopefully, we have no more Morris Minors in the performance – not that they’re a bad car. It’s a fantastic car.

“We showed the level with determination tonight. And that’s what I expect to see going forward.”

Rodgers was over the moon with the response of his troops who have come in for heavy criticism this season.

The gaffer waxed lyrical over Arne Engels as the £11million midfielder ran the show in a rare start.

And he was relieved to see Swedish playmaker Nygren finally deliver the goods after wasting a flurry of chances.

He beamed: “I said before the game to the players that we really have to show leadership now and leadership qualities.

“In my experience with players, when those types of players are under pressure, they progress.

“You can see that from the weekend, coming into this game, the pressure. But the progress in the team was so good individually and collectively.

“Of course, whenever you have a setback, which we’ve had a number of, but in particular at the weekend, then those leaders show the motivation to go again.

“We’ve seen all of that tonight. It was a really, really pleasing performance.

“I’m so happy for the likes of Benji because he had so many chances and he’s playing out of position really.

“But he gets into the areas to get those opportunities and showed so much courage to keep going. Eventually, he gets his goal.

“Arne Engels I thought was outstanding in the game. Coming back in, he gave us that energy in that fight.

“His set-piece quality really is world-class at the level and speed at which he delivers. Overall, it was really pleasing.”

However, Rodgers faces an injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s title crunch at Tynecastle as Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers all hobbled off.

Iheanacho was hooked just minutes after kick-off with a muscle issue, while Johnston cut a distraught figure after a recurrence of the hamstring problem that kept him sidelined since August.

Stopper Carter-Vickers then crumbled to the deck at full-time and was helped off the pitch by physio Tim Williamson.

And with Daizen Maeda facing a late fitness test, Celtic head to Gorgie this weekend with a depleted squad.

On Iheanacho and Johnston’s injuries, Rodgers said: “They didn’t look good. We’ll see what that is, but it looks like hamstring which isn’t great.

“In the second half, we wanted to take off Cameron, but we could only make one substitution in the second-half. Ideally, we would have taken him off, so we’ll see what he’s like when he comes in the morning.

“I’m not worried about that. I’m really only worried about how we played tonight.

“That’s our focus. We’ll see what it is in the morning. If they’re not available, you’ve seen the level that young Colby came in and performed and grew into the game.

“He was very good. Jonny came in and worked really, really hard. So, yes, we just have to accept if we have injuries.

“But tonight, we really had a good performance, which was very good.”