Celtic twice came from behind to edge past Championship leaders Falkirk and book their place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals, where they will face Aberdeen.
Brendan Rodgers’ side needed two quickfire goals from Adam Idah to turn the match around after a nervy first half saw them trail at the break.
Falkirk, who had already knocked out two Premiership sides in this competition, started brightly and took the game to Celtic from the off.
Ross MacIver gave the hosts a deserved lead, only for Paulo Bernardo to volley home an equaliser for the visitors. However, just before half-time, Finn Yeats restored Falkirk’s advantage with a well-taken goal, leaving Celtic with work to do in the second half.
Rodgers made several changes during the interval, and his substitutions proved decisive. Nicolas Kuhn, in particular, made a significant impact, setting up both of Idah’s goals in the space of three minutes.
The striker’s clinical finishing turned the tide in Celtic’s favour, and Kuhn then added two goals of his own to seal a 5-2 victory.
Falkirk’s hopes of a late comeback were dashed when Michael McKenna was sent off, leaving them to rue what might have been after a brave display. Despite the defeat, John McGlynn’s side can take pride in their performance, having caused the Premiership champions significant problems.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic’s first-half struggles:
Rodgers admitted his side’s slow start was partly down to his own decision-making:
“I think a lot of it is down to me. Some guys are just finding their feet and the spaces and a lot of it is down to me. You have to give credit to Falkirk as well because they pressed it really well.
“They were aggressive and they have come with a 4-3-3 and they got a really good first goal. We would normally line up and press and close the space on that one.
“The second one is where we are a little bit soft on the left-hand side and it comes in and we concede the goal. Full credit to Falkirk but not so good from me as I make the changes.”
Celtic will now prepare for a semi-final clash with Aberdeen, while Rangers will face Motherwell in the other tie.