Celtic secured a spirited 3-2 Europa League triumph over Real Betis but it came at a cost as star man Kyogo hobbled off on another night of injury woe for Ange Postecoglou.
The Japansese talisman was only on the pitch after Albian Ajeti hobbled off and there is concern over Osaze Urhoghide and Nir Bitton after head knocks.
Celtic and Betis conjured up a second group stage classic with Stephen Welsh, Ewan Henderson and David Turnbull all netting to cancel out Borja Iglesias' double.
The true victory, in the eyes of many Parkhead supporters, would have been to avoid any injuries, but there was still loads to like from a host of fringe men who truly stepped up and showed their ability.
The vast majority of these players were among those chastened by several pre-season missteps, however, they appeared to be surging with same confidence jolt the first team are currently enjoying.
And their sharp start was rewarded as Welsh expertly headed home from a tight angle to take advantage of Liel Abada's wicked in-swinger.
The crowd - muted by a combination of the Green Brigade's silent protest against Bernard Higgins and the lack of jeopardy resting on the result- needed something to warm the spirits and it came in the form of the opener.
Albian Ajeti, the much maligned £5m striker, was full of endeavour as he chased everything and his own moment of ingenuity with his noggin almost turned Liam Scales' cross on target.
But the Betis threat was starting to grow and Diego Lainez was left punching the turf after Urhoghide's endeavour helped him close the gap to put the Mexican off from close distance.
The rather sedate pace was interrupted when apoplectic Betis stars called for Soro to be sent off after a clash with Lainez. But a VAR check clearly showed there was rightly no grounds for dismissal.
Ajeti's harassing of Rui Silva nearly came at a cost as his pulled his hamstring, despite it almost reaping rewards as his block ricocheted into the side netting.
Enter Kyogo, as the supporters gleamed as their talisman came off the bench, seconds after Scott Bain brilliantly blocked Joaquin's effort.
But the arrival of the Japanese striker came amid Betis' most impressive spell of the night and William Carvalho was convinced his curling effort was heading for the top corner.
Celtic then survived a scare when Paul Akouokou rattled an effort off the crossbar that left the crowd open-mouth as it appeared destined for the top corner.
Betis were motoring before the break but quickly suffered a puncture after the restart with a host of false starts.
They had Liel Abada to thank for a comedic fresh air swipe that should have found Kygo after the forward had forced Silva into an error.
But Celtic weren't immune to errors and Nir Bitton made a big one when he coughed up the ball but Christian Tello was denied by Welsh's bravery and Bain's reflex.
The hosts refused to sit on their lead and Urhoghide's wicked cross was almost turned into his own net by Ruibal as he slashed it wide for a corner.
Celtic appeared incapable of helping the opposition and Bain fired straight to a blue shirt and a quick break resulted in 40-year-old Joaquin firing over from 12 yards out.
A trio of subs then took place as Adam Montgomery, Ismaila Soro and Liam Shaw were replaced by Callum McGregor, Turnbull and Mikey Johnston.
Iglesias' driven effort forced Bain into a great save but the Celtic keeper was unlucky as it bounced off him and into the net.
That setback was minimal compared to the angst felt moments later as Kyogo was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury that could have severe ramifications in the weeks ahead.
His replacement Henderson was full of the beans and he was on hand to tuck in from close range.
The joy was short lived as Iglesias was able to take advantage of slack defending and tuck home to set up a thrilling final 15 minutes.
But Celtic wasted little time to respond as Abada won a penalty after he was upended and David Turnbull brilliantly finished from 12 yards out.
The woe wasn't over, however, as Bitton and Urhoghide wiped each other out and there was genuine concern both had suffered a concussion during their clash.
Juanmi missed a sitter from one yard out as he contrived to hit the bar, but perhaps that's the type of luck the stretched hosts earned.
Celtic return to league action against Motherwell but Postecoglou will now count the cost of the walking wounded after an expensive three points before they enter the Europa Conference League
A night of oohs and ahs
Seriously, Panto season has nothing on this. From the Ultras' wall of silence, to the wild cheers that greeted much of the edge of the seat action on the pitch. But the audience was left aghast in the final act as Kyogo was forced in a crumpled heap holding his hamstring after chasing back to help his side defend. Celtic already have experience of what life looks like without their star performer after his knee injury earlier in the season.
Ajeti remains cursed
Yes, some of his body language last season was far from ideal, he often produced more groans than goals after his purple patch upon arrival. However, any criticism of the Swiss international now shouldn't include his work rate. Ajeti genuinely appears to be bursting a gut but he offers little of the guile that Kyogo brings when he is leading the line.
Hopes remain Giorgios Giakoumakis can offer a genuine alternative from the bench, but the Greek striker himself has been beset by injuries. Ajeti was unlikely to be troubling the starting XI again anytime soon, however, his absence puts further strain on an increasingly threadbare squad.
Dragon spirit from Welsh
The 21-year-old Celtic defender is closing in on 50 appearances and it truly shows. Yes, the Scotland Under-21 star is not the finished article but he is brave, accountable and not lacking in ability. His header was a wonder from tough angle but it was his leadership that stood on a night when he was trying to marshal a backline packed with players lacking in experience. Bitton had the armband on but there was plenty of accountability on display from the academy graduate.
