A quickfire double from Jack Aitchison inspired Celtic to a 4-1 win away St Mirren in the Development League.
The Paisley side dominated the first half but paid a high price for converting only one chance as Celtic handed out a lesson in finishing.
Within ten minutes of the restart Celtic were 3-1 in front with Mikey Johnston scoring a spectacular goal to add to Aitchison’s opportunist double.
Tommy McIntyre recalled Aidan Nesbitt from his loan spell at Morton while last season’s outstanding u-17 prospects Johnston and Aitchison were given a place in the starting XI.
The St Mirren line up included David Clarkson and Lawrence Shankland who tested and probed the Celtic defence as the home side pushed the ball around impressively.
Celtic struggled to get a hold of the midfield with the home side knocking the ball around with confidence and purpose as they pushed for the breakthrough.
Clarkson should have opened the scoring in 21st minute but headed off the crossbar unmarked from eight yards out.
The same player shot just wide 11 minutes later but some sloppy defending was punished three minutes later when the ball was fed through to Kyle McAllister who drilled a low shot past Conor Hazard.
There wasn’t much opportunities for Celtic to impress around the Saints goal with a low 22 yard drive from Conor McManus that flew a foot wide of the post the closest to a goal.
Whatever was said in the Celtic dressing room at half time will remain confidential but it was certainly effective as the game was turned around.
Three minutes into the second period McIntyre shouted substitutes Kerr McInroy and PJ Crossan over but before they were ready to come on Aitchison snatched the ball from a defender and slammed his shot past Reece Willison.
As the substitutes waited to see what was going to happen next Theo Archibald swung in a cross from the right with Aitchison rising perfectly to nod a header beyond Willison to put Celtic in front.
In the 54th minute there was more misery for the home team as Johnston drifted in from the left flank and cracked an unstoppable 25 yarder high into the net.
It was an incredible turnaround in the match with confidence draining out of the St Mirren players as Celtic stole the initiative and dominated the game.
In stoppage time Dan Higgins struck a perfectly placed 25 yard shot beyond Willison to complete a memorable comeback.
ST MIRREN: Willison, McNaughton, McDonald, Magennis, Whyte, Gordon, Gallagher, McLear, Shankland, Clarkson, McAllister.
CELTIC: Hazard, Wardrop, Mcllduff, McCart, Kerr, McManus (McInro7 50), Johnston (Crossan 65), Higgins, Aitchison, Nesbitt (Watson 77), Archibald.
SUBS: McAdams, Duffy, Watson, McInroy, Crossan