Brendan Rodgers' line about the Honda Civic will go down in infamy, but it was Martin O'Neill who fired up the DeLorean and took Celtic back in time

It was only just over a month ago that Brendan Rodgers spoke in such disparaging terms about his Celtic players and likened them to a clapped-out Honda Civic.

On the back of Celtic crashing to a 2-0 defeat against Dundee at Dens Park, that was the moment Rodgers effectively signed his own death warrant as manager.

There was no way back from that. In his own mind, he probably felt bulletproof. With fans revolting against the board over a lack of investment, Rodgers felt emboldened and empowered to say whatever he liked.

In his own mind, the plan was to see out his contract until the end of the season. That was until Dermot Desmond decided he would no longer put up with such an insubordinate and called Rodgers’ bluff.

Another defeat against Hearts the following weekend proved to be the final act, with Rodgers resigning and Desmond issuing a brutal statement before sending an SOS to Martin O’Neill.

In the intervening period, O’Neill has won five of his six matches in charge. He has taken Celtic into a League Cup Final and has now overseen the club’s first victory away from home in Europe in four years.

The 3-1 win over Feyenoord had the effect of a defibrillator to Celtic’s Europa League campaign, zapping them back to life and giving them a puncher’s chance of progression.

Since returning to Celtic in 2023, Rodgers had taken charge of 10 matches away from home in Europe and failed to win any of them.

O’Neill has managed Celtic twice on the road in Europe since taking the reins a few weeks ago and has already claimed a landmark win.

Or, to put it more bluntly, he has taken only two matches to achieve something that Rodgers failed to do over two years.

Whilst the line from Rodgers about the Honda Civic will go down in infamy, O’Neill fired up the DeLorean in Rotterdam on Thursday night and took Celtic back in time.

A blast from the past, it was a reminder of what Celtic could be in Europe, and what they so often were during O’Neill’s first spell. At the ripe old age of 73, he masterminded the club’s best European result in years.

They played with a confidence and composure rarely seen under Rodgers away from home. Reo Hatate enjoyed his best game of the season, pulling the strings in midfield with guile and creativity.

Arne Engels was another who enjoyed a fine game. He released Sebastian Tounekti with a sublime through ball in the second half which should have led to a goal, only for the winger to squander the chance.

But the two players who perhaps embodied Celtic’s rejuvenation under O’Neill were Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-jun.

Most Celtic fans would describe them as merely squad players at best. Not many would have faith in the likes of Yang or McCowan excelling away from home against a team like Feyenoord.

But they were both superb. Playing on the wings either side of Daizen Maeda, they were lively and energetic throughout and cause the home side plenty of problems.

‘You can tell he’s been a top manager here and that’s why he’s so respected,’ said McCowan of O’Neill. ‘His best quality is man-management — he’s been class.’

And that’s the nub of it. If a manager belittles players and describes them as an old clapped-out motor, why would they want to play for him?

Whereas, in O’Neill, Celtic have someone whose motivational skills would have the players believing they are a Ferrari every time they step out on to the pitch.

Confidence goes a long way in football. It was something O’Neill addressed on Thursday night when he was asked about the performance of Yang, a player who has been much maligned at times.

‘They say to me that sometimes if it doesn’t work for him, he might go back into his shell,’ said O’Neill, who will take charge of Celtic for a final time against Hibs tomorrow before handing over to Wilfried Nancy.

‘But there is a player there. He does things that we can’t [otherwise] do. He can turn players, he can beat players, he’s strong and he can manoeuvre it. He can do all of those things.

‘It’s just a matter of giving him a boost of confidence. The hardest thing in the world for a wide player is to lose it twice in succession and then try to go again. Only great players can do that.

‘That was the encouragement: if you have lost it trying to do something really positive, don’t’ worry about it, you’ll get another opportunity. He can go past players and make things happen.’

Whilst few would doubt that Celtic’s squad will require significant investment in January and next summer, the win in Rotterdam proved they do still possess talented players.

If they had performed anywhere near that level against Kairat Almaty back in August, then they would have been playing Champions League football this season.

That’s by the by. But, for all that certain positions need strengthening, it’s clear that Nancy will not inherit a squad full of duds as some would have you believe.

The 48-year-old Frenchman is expected to be in the stands at Easter Road tomorrow when O’Neill will look to sign off on a high, one last dance with a Celtic support who serenaded him at full-time in Rotterdam.

Asked about what he expects Nancy will inherit when he takes charge, O’Neill said: ‘He has got some players who are big winners. He also has a great captain.

‘I’m sure he will lean on some of those lads and then it’s about improving some of the other players. The restoration of confidence is big and it’s keeping it going after that.

‘Winning away from home is terrific — it’s not easy away from home in Europe. It gives them belief that they can come and compete.’

Nancy will arrive at Celtic with a reputation for playing dynamic, attacking football during his time in the MLS with Columbus Crew.

Despite still being in the relative infancy of his managerial career, he is viewed as a modern coach who places an emphasis on ball possession and positional rotations.

But as O’Neill has proven over these past few weeks, man-management skills can often count as much as anything else.

After celebrating a famous European victory away in Rotterdam, the old master has one final assignment in Leith tomorrow. This is O’Neill’s last hurrah.