Sterile Celtic prompt pointed fan chant as win over Auchinleck fails to quell dissenters
Progress in Scottish Cup but this was not a convincing afternoon
Celtic made it through to the Scottish Cup fifth round but a sterile performance against gutsy Auchinleck Talbot did little to quell a frustrated fanbase amid chants for the board to "sign a player".
It took a stunning strike from substitute Sebastian Tounekti five minutes from full-time to seal a 2-0 win and finally kill off the part-timers who left with all the plaudits and a respectable scoreline as their latest cup adventure came to an end.
Celtic also had to wait 34 minutes for their opener as Talbot rose to the occasion - the much-maligned Johnny Kenny finding the net for the first time since November 9 to relieve pressure and give his own confidence a much-needed boost.
For all the myriad issues Celtic have faced this season, no outcome other than progression would have been considered acceptable for a £115million squad against the 60/1 part-timers from the sixth tier of Scottish football.
But even with a favourable venue switch from the more challenging confines of Beechwood Park, the 4000-capacity home of Auchinleck, Celtic fans could be forgiven for feeling trepidation before kick-off at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park.
The Hoops had already suffered one humiliating elimination at the hands of rank outsiders this season with the ripple-effect from the Champions League defeat by Kairat Almaty in August still being felt across the club. It's worth noting that the Kazakhstan outfit are currently rock bottom of the 36-team UCL table.
Auchinleck are also somewhat famed for Scottish Cup upsets having knocked out SPFL opposition no fewer than six times in the past seven seasons. The 1-0 win over Championship side Ayr United in 2019 is regarded as the greatest result in the club's history - defeating Celtic, however, would have eclipsed any giant-killing act of the past 152 years of the tournament. They had fleeting moments in this cup tie - and had their fans whipped up into a frenzy on the few occasions they entered the Celtic box - but ultimately they lacked the quality to make the most of their sporadic opportunities.
Celtic ring the changes
Talbot might have had a better chance of doing so had Wilfried Nancy still been in the opposition dugout given the Frenchman's propensity for leaving the back door wide open. However, the stability provided by the return of Martin O'Neill made Celtic much less vulnerable to such a shock as the one which befell FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at the hands of the National League North side Macclesfield Town last weekend.
The Celtic team sheet provided The Bot with some hope as O'Neill rested all of his midweek starters from the 1-0 win at Falkirk except Callum McGregor - the skipper too important to be afforded a night off even against non-league opposition.
The most notable of the ten Celtic changes was the inclusion of Michel-Ange Balikwisha in the starting line-up for the first time since September. The £5m summer signing from Royal Antwerp has been held as an example of Celtic's rotten recruitment and unfortunately for the Belgian, his most eye-catching moment was skying an effort over the bar when he simply had to hit the target. "He did okay", was the evaluation of O'Neill afterwards.
Stephen Welsh was also brought in for his first Celtic appearance in 13 months after being recalled from his loan at Motherwell meaning he will now be cup tied if he returns to Fir Park before the end of the transfer window.
In truth, few Celtic fringe players presented their case for more game-time in what was a laboured performance against a team they would have been expected to beat more comfortably.
Talbot's last game was on December 20 because of postponements and frozen pitches so there was a rustiness for them to overcome as well as the obvious gulf in resource, fitness and quality.
Where Talbot could compete with Celtic was in attitude and endeavour and they did not let themselves - or their fantastic support - down in that regard as they made life very difficult for the Hoops. Their defending against some admittedly blunt Celtic attacking play was several levels above their station.
The lack of creativity in the final third was again glaring for Celtic. Right-back Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth remains the only January arrival 18 days into the window and Celtic fans made their feelings clear with chants interchanging between "sack the board" and "sign a player". O'Neill did not quite guarantee it, but is hopeful of new faces in time for next weekend's top of the table clash with Hearts at Tynecastle. Celtic need them.
The early goal that Celtic wanted and Talbot were keen to avoid never arrived. Willie Muir made a point-blank save from a Kenny volley after six minutes before the flag went up for offside. Paulo Bernardo then sent a header off target before Balikwisha stepped onto an Anthony Ralston cut-back on 24 minutes with the goal at his mercy but skelped his effort into the stand.
Talbot ventured into the Celtic box on the half hour mark as a free-kick caused panic. Viljami Sinisalo attempted an unconvincing punch and the ball was scrambled behind for a corner.
The opener arrived at the other end just moments later as Kenny showed the predatory instincts that have evaded him in recent weeks by reacting sharply to toe-poke Luke McCowan's deflected cross high into the net.
Kenny glanced a header off the top of the Auchinleck crossbar a minute after half-time and was denied a second again by the offside flag. Benjamin Nygren was introduced off the bench on 68 minutes and forced a save from Muir, who was having a quieter night than he may have expected given Celtic's struggles to create meaningful chances.
It was fellow sub Tounekti who finally put the game to bed on 85 minutes with a glorious curling strike from the corner of the 18-yard box that finally put any thoughts of a cup shock to bed.
Celtic now travel to Bologna for a Europa League match on Thursday while next up for Auchinleck is the visit of Thorniewood United in the West of Scotland League Cup. Back to the real world for the part-timers but with their reputation and bank balance enhanced.
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