After an hour of dominating the away side, Hearts somehow managed to temporarily claw themselves back into the game from the penalty spot.
Carl Starfelt was the culprit – the Swedish defender is supposed to be the remedy to the exit of Kristoffer Ajer, but some impulsive defending ensured that the game was set up for a nervy ending after his lash out at Liam Boyce.
A rare Hearts counter attack found the ball being crossed in, but Starfelt was on hand to bring Boyce down as he was unaware of his surroundings, before the Northern Irishman sent Joe Hart the wrong way from the spot.
A lifeline for Hearts! 👀
Liam Boyce converts the spot kick himself after Starfelt fouled him in the first place 💜#PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/QeKpi68zQ3
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) August 15, 2021
But as has been the case of recent, one man was on hand to save Celtic – King Kyogo.
The Japanese international has become a fan favourite despite only playing four games in Celtic colours; yet has shown his scoring spree has no signs of stopping as he scored his fifth goal in a short space of time.
A stray ball by Craig Gordon found Odsonne Edouard, and some neat interplay resulted in Tom Rogic holding the ball on the edge of the box.
And, quintessentially, Furuhashi produced some brilliant movement for the Australian to find him, before lashing the ball out of Craig Gordon’s reach into the top corner.
That's 5 in 5 for Kyogo Furuhashi for Celtic! 🔥
An emphatic finish by Celtic Park's new Japanese hero and Craig Gordon can't keep it out 🍀🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/Bwb8LMdoRH
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) August 15, 2021
Photo credit: Premier Sports
