Rodgers compared his squad to a Honda but Desmond has launched him under the bus

Tycoon has damaged his own rep with public blast

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

IT wasn't supposed to end this way. Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic to restore his reputation in the eyes of the support.

Deep down he might have pictured one day having a lounge at Parkhead named after him. Who knows, maybe even a statue?

Rodgers was meant to hoover up trophies like he always does and then ride off into the sunset, his place firmly secure as the second most decorated manager in the club's history behind Jock Stein.

Quitting before Halloween in year three and then getting body-bagged by the man who enticed him to the club twice wasn't part of the plan.

Turns out hell hath no fury like an Irish billionaire scorned.

Dermot Desmond's statement following the announcement Rodgers had quit wasn't just scathing.

You needed to slide into a hazmat suit to read the nuclear release from the Parkhead kingpin.

Rodgers compared his squad to a Honda the other week.

Desmond has launched his former friend right under the bus.

And barely left him with a name.

The Prodigal Son returned - only to get chucked out the house again. What an almighty mess.

The statement from Desmond might have been an attempt to shift all the blame on to Rodgers. But instead he has turned the now former manager into a martyr. Rather than take the heat off himself and the board, he has cranked it up a notch.

A lot of punters were starting to feel Rodgers' time was up at Celtic Park. Things had got a bit stale and clearly the relationship with Desmond and others on the board was damaging everyone.