James Wilson stepped onto the pitch as a substitute after half time. He injected some energy and pace into the Hearts attack, but the home side were stung by two goals in two nightmare minutes putting the Jambos 2-1 down to Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT).
The Men in Maroon levelled three minutes later, but they desperately needed more something extra to prize them out of a precarious position against an outfit lying seventh in the William Hill Championship.
The success-hungry, home fans, desperate for silverware, were understandably restive. They were staring exit from the Premier Sports Cup. Yes, there were 31 minutes left, but you could feel the tension.
Cue Radio Braga and two others from the bench. Claudio provided the spark up-front, with Josh McPake and Blair Spittal injecting some much-needed physicality.
The ball was moved at pace, but ICT withstood the pressure until the 82nd minute, then the roof fell in.
Sabah Kertoja jinked his way into the penalty box and was felled by a clumsy tackle by Noa Boutin. There was a lengthy wait for VAR to adjudicate, but that fell in the Jambos favour. Up stepped Calvin Miller and the former Falkirk man slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
Hearts were in front, relief for the home support, and they grabbed three more goals before the final whistle.
Wilson added a fourth by latching onto a loose ball in the six-yard box and he headed home from close range. Kerjota had found Braga in the box and his shot was deflected into the air by goalkeeper Munro. Wilson followed up and how he celebrated after waiting patiently in the wings for his chance.
Braga got in on the act minutes later. The ball fizzed into the box from the right courtesy of Christian Borchgrevink and Claudio grabbed the opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet, slamming the ball home in the 91st minute. ICT goalkeeper Ross Munro had no chance. A quality finish from a quality player.
And the Gorgie side were not finished as Miller collected a pass from McPake, who could have gone to ground after a hefty challenge, but elected to stay on his feet. He sent a perfect ball to Miller who outpaced the defence and calmly slotted with his left foot. Game over.
Yes, Hearts were under the cosh when they went 2-1 down to goals from Ryan Duncan (54 minutes) and Alfie Bavidge (56), both well-crafted, but they found a way.
Earlier, Borchgrevink netted a well-taken first for the Capital combine in 16 minutes, the ball coming back from the wall following a free kick by Kerjota on the right and the Norwegian defender made no mistake with his looping header from the edge of the six-yard box.
There had been an earlier scare for the home side when Bavidge picked up a ball and sent it into the net, but VAR ruled he was offside. A early let-off for Hearts and a signal.
Then ICT had a nervous wait while VAR adjudicated on a penalty claim, Amadou Ba-Sy tackled in the box. The men in the VAR office declared there had been a foul during the move and Hearts had to be content with a free-kick just outside the box.
The game ebbed and flowed, with classy Frenchman, Tom Renaud, probing, Kerjota busy and Miller buzzing around, but the home side were unable to keep ICT fully at bay and the visitors showed an application and desire in front of 15,327 fans. They had come to cause a shock.
They did when they popped in those two goals. It certainly silenced the Jambos faithful and energised their travelling fans in the Roseburn End. For a fleeting moment, they must have believed a cup shock was possible, then up stepped Mato.
He had worked away quietly before being provided with a pin-point cross from Kerjota. Mato’s header from close range was well-placed and Hearts were level. It was Mato’s last contribution as he was substituted.
Borchgrevink remained and was neat and tidy in his work with his goal a real bonus, and, possibly a confidence boost for a player who has spent the early part of the season on the sidelines.
McPake was always a threat. Indeed, he pleased fans by driving at the opposition defence down the left and he found the net with a cool, right foot shot. Sadly, and for the second time in two games as a strike against Benfica was also ruled off for the same offence, offside.
Nonetheless, his contribution was meaningful in the win. It looked comfortable but remember those four goals came from the 82nd minute.
Gutted ICT gaffer, Scott Kellacher, told the media that there was a lot of like in the first 82 minutes. Not after that.
So, what now? Well Hearts came out of the quarter-final draw with a tie at Stenhousemuir, guided by former Hibs player, and, for a short time, Livingston head coach, Marvyn Bartley. The side, nicknamed The Warriors, shocked Motherwell 1-0 in Central Scotland.
Hibs travel to Ross County, Kilmarnock host Aberdeen.
And, you guessed it, the Old Firm clash at Ibrox and it was former Rangers and Scotland full-back, Alan Hutton, now a pundit, who pulled the balls out of the hat. The ties will be played on the weekend of September 12/13.
CATALYST: Claudio Braga injected energy and enthusiasm as Hearts brushed ICT aside with four late goals. Picture Nigel Duncan
