Celtic scraped past sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot in a tense Scottish Cup encounter, with a late goal from Sebastian Tounekti finally sealing a 2-0 victory. The win sets up a last-16 clash with Dundee, but interim manager Martin O’Neill was left frustrated by his side’s lacklustre performance.

Despite making 10 changes from their midweek Falkirk win, Celtic still fielded a strong team at Rugby Park. Yet the Premiership giants struggled to assert dominance over a resolute Talbot side, taking over 30 minutes to open the scoring and squandering numerous chances along the way.

Celtic Take the Lead but Fail to Impress

Irish striker Johnny Kenny finally broke the deadlock after half an hour, but Celtic’s attacking play remained inefficient. Early opportunities went begging:

• Kenny missed a golden chance within the first few minutes.
• Michel-Ange Balikwisha blasted over from close range.
• Kenny hit the bar with a header early in the second half.

Auchinleck Talbot almost equalized when Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo failed to punch clear a cross, allowing Connor Boyd a potential opening. Kenny had a second goal ruled out for offside just after the hour mark, adding to Celtic’s frustration.

Tounekti Settles the Tie in the Final Minutes

Celtic’s nerves were finally calmed in the 87th minute when substitute Sebastian Tounekti curled a sublime effort from the corner of the box, securing the 2-0 win and ending Talbot’s hopes of a historic Scottish Cup upset.

While Celtic progressed, the victory fell short of a confidence-boosting rout, with fans hoping for a more dominant display from last year’s runners-up. O’Neill’s frustration on the sidelines mirrored the inefficiency on the pitch.

Talbot’s Heroic Effort Highlights the “Magic of the Cup”

The spotlight, however, belonged to Auchinleck Talbot and manager Tommy Sloan. The sixth-tier side defended with courage for almost the entire match, proving once again why they are considered the “biggest weeist” team in Scottish football.

• Talbot’s goalkeeper Wullie Muir produced crucial saves.
• The team absorbed relentless pressure and frustrated Celtic for most of the 90 minutes.

Sloan praised his players after the match:

“It was a fantastic effort from the lads. They’ve proved they can dig in and perform against a top team like Celtic. The effort was fantastic, even if we would have liked to threaten the goal a bit more.”

O’Neill acknowledged the performance gap but emphasized the challenges of squad rotation:

“We can play much better. I made a lot of changes, which affected the flow, but the win is important. It was a bit of a toil to get the second goal, and we lacked a spark at times.”

Player Performances: Standouts from Both Sides

Despite Celtic’s dominance in possession, many opportunities were squandered due to poor finishing. In contrast, Auchinleck Talbot showcased grit and determination. Fans widely praised Talbot for keeping the Premiership side at bay for 87 minutes.

Notable Player Ratings:

• R. Clark (Auchinleck Talbot) – 8.48
• W. Muir (Talbot) – 8.44
• A. Wilson (Talbot) – 8.42
• C. Boyd (Talbot) – 8.37
• Tounekti (Celtic) – decisive late goal

What’s Next for Celtic and Talbot?

Celtic now turn their attention to the Europa League, travelling to Bologna on Thursday (17:45 GMT) before returning to domestic action against Hearts at Tynecastle next Sunday (15:00).

Auchinleck Talbot, meanwhile, will host Thorniewood United in the West of Scotland League Cup next Saturday (15:00), looking to build on their spirited cup performance.

Scottish Cup Magic Remains Alive

While Celtic avoided a historic upset, the match served as a reminder of the magic of the Scottish Cup, where smaller clubs can challenge the country’s biggest teams. Talbot’s performance was a testament to the enduring spirit of Scottish football, proving that determination and teamwork can make for unforgettable cup stories.