The Celtic train is rolling along nicely after a 100 per cent start to the season and they continued their flawless form despite two scares from an impressive Falkirk side. Celtic's next stop will be the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals but they twice fell behind, first to Ross MacIver's opener and then to Finn Yeats' header after Paulo Bernardo's venomous volley had temporarily levelled the score. Unbeaten in the league for a run of 43 games, Falkirk remained determined in their play but the hosts soon made a flurry of subs and two combined to devastating effect to send Celtic through and the expense of John McGlynn's side. Brendan Rodgers' side eventually overpowered their Championship opponents with a superb cameo off the bench from Nicolas Kuhn. Falkirk stunned Celtic Park twice this afternoon but Brendan Rodgers' side eventually overpowered their Championship opponents with a superb cameo off the bench from Nicolas Kuhn. The second-half sub scored a second-half double, with Kuhn also assisting both of Adam Idah's strikes in the second 45.

Falkirk's Early Threat

Ross MacIver's early strike put John McGlynn's side ahead before it was cancelled out by Paulo Bernardo's sensational volley. Moments before the interval Finn Yeats sent the visitors back into the lead. The Bairns have already sprung a surprise in this competition, dumping out sorry Hearts in the last round to set up today's Parkhead showdown. But the champions away from home were a step too far despite their stellar display. Falkirk's opener was the first time Celtic had been behind this season. Falkirk's second is the first time any team has scored two against Brendan Rodgers' side this season. John McGlynn said his side would look to impose themselves on Celtic as they have to others so far this campaign, and haven't they just. The Bairns are 45 minutes away from a major cup upset. The Champions have been stunned by the Championship side twice. The first team to score twice against Celtic this season. MacIver's well-struck opener was soon cancelled out by Bernardo's lovely volley. With seconds to go in the first half Yeats' nodded in the second for the visitors to stun the home support again.

Celtic's Second-Half Surge

In the second half, Celtic's strength off of the bench was too much for the Championship side. It's been pretty much all Celtic since their third goal, with Falkirk unable to get up the pitch with the same speed and incisiveness as the opening 45 - which is understandable. Will those changes freshen up the frustrated hosts? There is a break in play now as Falkirk's Yeats is receiving some treatment on the pitch. Celtic work it all the way from Kuhn on the right to Yang on the left touchline as they try to stretch Falkirk across the pitch. The move works its way back to the right and Bernardo is almost played in on the corner of the box but he can't control it and Falkirk thump it away.

Kuhn's Impact

Nicolas Kuhn assisted both of Idah's strikes after the interval and scored two of his own. Kuhn powers in his side's fifth, his second, from the edge of the area with his left foot. Engels plays Kuhn in one-on-one with a sensational through ball and he dinks it over Hogarth to seal a semi-final spot for the hosts. In a flash, Idah pulls Celtic level and now he fires them ahead for the first time this afternoon. Kuhn plays it inside from the right-hand side to the strike on the edge of the box, he gets past the Falkirk defence on the edge of the box and slots it home coolly. Great striker play from Idah. Heartbreak for Falkirk. Celtic are officially level and the goal stands. They are level with 20 minutes to go. Celebration mixed with relief in Celtic Park!

A Thrilling Conclusion

Ralston's well-weighted pass meets the onrushing Kuhn who drills it across goal for Idah to tap in at the back post. But was he onside...? There's a VAR check. Bernardo's strike clips the top of the Celtic wall and the hosts have a corner. The visitors fly up the park on the break with Miller and Agyeman involved. The latter is judged to have touched the ball out of play as he raced forward but he, nor the Falkirk fans, are too sure. Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart is also unsure the whole ball left the field of play there. Gary Oliver replaces to opening goalscorer Ross MacIver who needed some on-field medical attention. Bernardo now stands over the Celtic free kick... And now Idah himself wins a free kick inside the D of the Falkirk box. Hogarth wins a foul on the edge of his box for a push by Idah after the keeper had released the ball. Falkirk are happy to build from the back still. Bernardo floats a free kick to Trusty deep inside the area but his header back towards Welsh is dealt with by Falkirk. We're back up and running at Celtic Park. Can Falkirk maintain their lead? Falkirk venture forward late into the game but Tait's effort near the penalty spot is stopped well by Schmeichel. Nawrocki replaces Welsh for the final few minutes. Bernardo dukes in from the left and almost gets his side's fifth but Hogarth does well to react to the close-range strike.

The Celtic side showed their resilience in the face of a spirited performance from Falkirk. Despite the early scare, they found a way to prevail, showcasing the depth and quality of their squad. With their next challenge looming in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, Celtic will be hoping to continue their impressive form. The game's outcome is a testament to the unpredictable nature of football. Falkirk, the underdogs, gave a valiant effort, but ultimately, Celtic's experience and quality proved too much to overcome. This encounter serves as a reminder that even the most dominant teams can be challenged, and that upsets are always possible in the beautiful game. The dramatic comeback victory not only reinforces Celtic's status as a force to be reckoned with but also highlights the importance of never giving up, even when facing adversity. The match also provided a glimpse into the potential of Nicolas Kuhn, who emerged as a game-changer for the Hoops. His impressive performance is a testament to the depth of the Celtic squad and their ability to adapt to different situations. The match was a captivating spectacle for fans of both clubs, showcasing the passion and intensity of the Scottish game. It's a testament to the enduring rivalry between Celtic and Falkirk and the importance of these cup clashes in the Scottish football calendar.