Auchinleck Talbot 0-2 Celtic – We made hard work of it but job done

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·19 January 2026

Auchinleck Talbot 0-2 Celtic – We made hard work of it but job done

We made hard work of it, but we’re into the next round and that’s all that really matters as attention turns to Celtic’s crucial matches against Bologna then Hearts…

Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

No shocks thankfully at Rugby Park yesterday evening, not that there was ever any danger of it during a dire and trudged ninety minutes against lower tier outfit Auchinleck Talbot, as Celtic won by two goals to nil to advance into the next round where a home tie with Dundee awaits us.

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Johnny Kenny of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Auchinleck Talbot and Celtic at Rugby Park on January 18, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Goals by Johnny Kenny and Sebastian Tounekti were enough to see off a well drilled Talbot side, who despite giving their all were never a serious threat to a second string Celtic side, who were comfortable all evening, despite boasting a backline of Tony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, Dane Murray and Colby Donovan. With the man in possession of the gloves Viljami Sinisalo rarely troubled throughout the 4th Round Scottish Cup tie.

Neil Lennon. Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

Being up against a spirited side on the plastic surface of Rugby Park, Martin O’Neill sensibly left out the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Julian Araujo, Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Austin Trusty, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Yang, Sebastian Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren, and Daizen Maeda, although Scales, Hatate, Nygren, and goalscorer Tounekti all made a second half appearance, but it was the right decision with tougher challenges in Bologna and Hearts on the horizon.

Despite the comfortable victory, the lack of goal threat was worryingly evident once again, and showcases the urgency to acquire a centre forward or two in the coming days.

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

Some won’t be happy we didn’t win by a cricket score, but that rarely happens these days, and all in all it was a worthwhile exercise for players who aren’t deemed as first choice picks.

Next up is a tough trip to Bologna in the penultimate Europa league group stage fixture, which goes without saying will be a helluva lot tougher than playing yesterday’s opponents.

All in all it was a decent nights work for Celtic, and since the second return of Martin O’Neill we have won three consecutive fixtures, scoring seven and conceding none. Not bad at all.

James Forrest in action, Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)

Martin’s domestic record in both spells back has been outstanding, winning every game. Let’s hope that continues on Sunday away to Hearts. It’s a game that Celtic really must win and we certainly should be looking at having a few signings to improve our chances.

Best of luck to Auchinleck Talbot for the rest of their season.

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