Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers Stands by 'Honda Civic' Squad Comparison After Defeat

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has stood by his controversial 'Honda Civic' analogy following the team's 2-0 defeat to Dundee, explaining that the comment referred to the reduced speed of his current squad compared to last season. Rodgers highlighted the departures of key players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn, as well as Jota's injury, as factors contributing to a different player profile and style of play. Despite criticism suggesting his remarks undermined his players, Rodgers affirmed his support for them and emphasized the team's focus on improving performance. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to a squad with less pace but expressed confidence that the team can still be more dynamic. Rodgers also provided updates on injured players, noting the potential return of Alistair Johnston and the continued absence of Daizen Maeda. Overall, he remains unrepentant about his comments, stating they reflected his honest feelings about the current state of the team.