The Hoops were pushed all the way by the sixth tier side as they secured a narrow 2-0 win at Rugby Park

19:29, 18 Jan 2026Updated 20:45, 18 Jan 2026

Celtic’s Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring (Image: )

Auchinleck Talbot went out of the Scottish Cup with their heads held high. Celtic were lucky not to be sneaking out of Rugby Park hanging theirs in shame.

The Junior outfit produced a heroic display to push the Hoops all the way and it took until Sebastian Tounekti’s late cracker to settle it following Johnny Kenny’s first half opener. In stark contrast, a much-changed Celtic side were beyond lacklustre for long spells as they limped their way into the fifth round draw.

Martin O’Neill kept up his unbeaten domestic record across his two interim stints but the Northern Irishman cut a stoney-faced figure on the Rugby Park touchline with Hoops fans continuing to vent their fury at the club’s board.

O’Neill is crying out for new faces – as not many of the ones on show here stated much of a case. Celtic bossed the ball but Talbot did an immense job in keeping the Parkhead side at bay and caused the odd moment of concern at the other end.

The opener was sheer relief for Celts after toiling against tough Talbot in a torturous first half an hour. Recalled Michel-Ange Balikwisha ballooned one over the bar and stand-in keeper Viljami Sinisalo’s flap had Auchinleck fans dreaming of an incredible lead.

Yet seconds later the Hoops stuck when Kenny poked home Luke McCowan’s low cross at the near post.

Celtic’s James Forrest and Talbot’s Kyle McAvoy in action(Image: )

The strike had another ruled out after the break for offside as Celtic pushed for a second but were woeful in the final third until sub Tounekti superbly curled in a cracker with four minutes to go to prevent any nasty shocks.

CELTS NEED A SPARK

Celtic secured their spot in the next round but this fairly dire display didn’t do much to lighten the mood around the club.

The amount of changes to the side might have taken away a bit of structure but was enough experience and ability on the pitch to produce way more than seen here.

There were shades of Ronny Delia’s Celtic team Cup win against East Kilbride 10 years when Colin Kazim-Richards and co limped through by the same score line.

Celts were slow on the ball and lacked any real creativity where it mattered. A lot of that was down to Talbot defending deep and putting bodies on the line.

But it really should’t be an excuse given the vast difference in resources between the clubs.

These fringe players should have been busting a gut to impress but too often it was more like they were going through the motions.

There’s been a lot of talk of new arrivals but the current squad should doing far more.

KEEPING IN RESERVE

O’Neill is trying to keep fresh legs for Bologna and Hearts and he made 10 changes from Falkirk in midweek.

The one survivor was an interesting one, with Callum McGregor insisting he wanted to play.

O’Neill must have been tempted to wrap the captain in cotton wool but it was a big chance for others beside Balikwisha.

Stephen Welsh was back – and it means a return to Motherwell is the only option for his month if he is to go back out as he’s played for the maximum two teams.

Elsewhere it was a changed team but far from a second string, with familiar faces like James Forrest, Paulo Bernardo and Kenny.

The latter got his goal and had another ruled out, but wasn’t enough of a presence.

Sixteen year old Joseph Haney was on the bench but he was the only one there under 21, which does beg the question what is going on with Celtic’s talent production line?

MAKE A WISHA

The attacker looked to be so far out in the cold he had only polar bears for company.

But O’Neill handed the DR Congo star was given a run out here – and he couldn’t afford to pass it up.

Balikwisha hadn’t been given a minute under the Northern Irishman in his two stints in charge and this was his first start for Celtic since facing Kilmarnock at the same venue back in September.

Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha misses from close-range(Image: )

The former Antwerp man looked keen to make an impression – but passed up a glorious chance to open the scoring when he blazed over the bar from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Balikwisha played as a no.10 but his low key performance was no more than a six.

WINDOW PAIN

Celtic fans have been at war with the club’s board for months and if anything the anger levels are rising the longer January rumbles on without key arrivals.

There were the usual chants but Hoops fans had a new song, as they belted out, ‘Sign a Player’.

It seemed like a simple request but it’s proved to be hard going for Parkhead chiefs.

Defender Julian Aroujo checked in from Bournemouth on loan – but it’s attackers Celts badly need.

The clock is ticking and while Bologna in midweek might be a free hit, Hearts in the league next weekend is anything but.

The pressure is on the Parkhead board to deliver or the rage in the stands will be off the chart.

TALBOT HEROES

The Ayrshire side will never forget this occasion and they did themselves proud.

Talbot made life really awkward for Celts and caused the odd moment of panic as well.

The front three of Luke Main, Kyle McAvoy and Connor Boyd set the tone with a ton of work and Tommy Sloan’s men were disciplined and rigid in their shape.

It was understandable moving this one to Rugby Park as the dosh from the 10,000 crowd was too good to pass up, but it did make you wonder how this Hoops side would have coped at Beechwood.

Either way, it’s been a remarkable Scottish Cup fun for the Junior big guns.