THE Honda Civic didn’t quite become a Ferrari.
But this souped-up version of the green machine was still far more reliable than it has been.
And ultimately Brendan Rodgers was able to celebrate a badly needed triumph from a team he denied he’d insulted with such an ill-judged car comparison.
But after this almighty display of character he’ll surely be more careful with what he says in future.
Tomi Horvat had fired Sturm ahead but Celtic would respond memorably through Liam Scales and Benjamin Nygren to deny their guests an Old Firm double in Europe after beating Rangers three weeks ago.
Sturm also had Tochi Chukwuani dismissed.
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Headline team news for Celtic was the return of Alistair Johnston after a two month lay-off with a hamstring tear – but a nightmare evening would see him last not even a half hour.
He was one of two changes for Rodgers with Arne Engels also back in the side.
The under pressure Northern Irishman has rarely, if at all over his two spells in the hot-seat, been under such scrutiny as a manager, as an elite coach, than now.
The visit of Sturm Graz had looked ominous.
Celtic’s record against Austrian opposition made for shocking reading in the build-up.
Twenty eight years since their last win, there was a dire need for a morale-boosting result approaching a formidable challenge at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Celtic suffered a savage blow after just two minutes – with their one established frontman Kelechi Iheanacho suddenly pulling up and sitting down, his game over.
The Nigerian cut a disconsolate figure as he limped off and then straight up the tunnel, with Johnny Kenny on for him.
Naturally, every Celts fan immediately worried about his availability for the massive games immediately ahead.
The tempo was high right from kick-off – the Hoops clearly eager to show intent.
But they couldn’t create even one early chance with, indeed, the visitors producing the first attempt at goal – Otar Kiteishvili curling a right foot shot from 18-yards high and wide following a slick passing build-up.
Sturm Graz sprayed the ball about with the confidence you’d expect from a side leading their top flight by three points with a game in hand while also having enjoyed four straight victories.
The ball zipped about with precision – they unquestionably fancied it and against this Celts team you couldn’t blame them.
Yet, out of nowhere Kenny almost gave the Hoops a priceless 13th minute lead.
The Irish striker chased down Dimitri Lavalee from a clever Johnston ball down the flank, brilliantly robbed him of possession and then raced into the box before unleashing a low right foot shot across goal and just past the far post.
That lifted the crowd briefly.
But there was only home silence two minutes later – as Graz netted an absolute worldy.
Kieran Tierney lost possession and the Austrians rapidly progressed before Horvat, from 25-yards, hammered a magnificent left foot shot high beyond a full stretch, diving Kasper Schmeichel into the top corner.
It was a sensational finish.
Suddenly, the only noise in an otherwise deflated Paradise was coming from the jubilant away fans. But in fairness, they were relentless all night. Outstanding support.
The phrase Mountain-to-Climb promptly came to mind for an already low in confidence Celtic.
But it would still be a first half of big chances not taken for Rodgers’ men.
It was agonising for all concerned in green and white.
You couldn’t fault Celtic’s work-rate but they desperately lacked the inspiration to go with the perspiration.
Nygren – with the first of two poorly executed headers in great position – put the ball high and wide in the 18th minute.
That felt like a big chance, but there was an even more gilt-edged opportunity squandered later…although the Swede would eventually deliver.
Law of averages and all that.
Engels had a half-hit close range left shot deflected just wide.
But then another crushing injury blow for Celtic – Johnston pulled up, sat down and the anguish in his face said it all as he then got up and trudged off, straight up the tunnel too.
And only the woodwork prevented another huge set-back for Celtic, Kiteishvili’s close range left foot shot rattling the near post.
The Hoops responded with a close range Engels header cleared off the line by Emanuel Aiwu.
Five minutes from half time Nygren HAD to make it 1-1 – but somehow, with the goal at his mercy 10-yards out, he glanced a header wide from Reo Hatate’s perfect cross.
Then the hard-running Kenny had a right foot shot beaten away by Matteo Bignetti.
But it was a delighted Sturm Graz at the break.
There was plenty again for Rodgers to consider on the night of his 63rd Euro tie in charge of Celtic, with only Jock Stein now ahead of him on 68.
Just 24 seconds into the second half he’d see Hatate show great control 16-yards from goal only to then blaze over his left foot half volley.
The action was thick and fast – Horvat almost catching out Schmeichel with a 25-yard free-kick which had him scrambling to save.
Then from the corner captain Jon Stankovic planted a header inches wide.
Nygren, staggeringly, missed ANOTHER at close range before Celtic got their first – Scales side-footing home in the box after good work by Engels and Donovan.
Amazingly, Celtic went ahead just three minutes later.
Engels’ corner was…wait for it…headed in by Nygren who had left you wondering if he was on a sponsored miss for the evening.
It would get even worse for Sturm in the 70th minute when Chukwuani got a straight red for a tackle on Callum McGregor.
This was a performance of guts from Celtic..
Kenny volleyed and headed over in quick succession in the tense closing stages.
And sub Michel-Ange Balikwisha also fired narrowly wide.
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Celtic, though, secured a stunning comeback win which could spark their campaign.
But even amid the celebrations there was the sight of another key man, Cameron Carter-Vickers, hobbling off with the help of physio Tim Williamson.
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