Celtic confirmed starting XI vs Auchinleck Talbot: Sweeping changes as O'Neill rests key stars with Europe in mind
Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting line-up to face Auchinleck Talbot in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Rugby Park
Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting XI to face West of Scotland Premier Division side Auchinleck Talbot for their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Rugby Park (KO: 5.30pm).
The West of Scotland Premier Division outfit will attempt to do the unthinkable by claiming one of the biggest shocks EVER in the competition’s history against the Scottish champions.
The Ayrshire underdogs were desperate to host the fixture at their traditional home of Beechwood Park, which has a capacity of 4,000. However, Talbot were informed by Police Scotland that they wouldn’t be granted a licence, resulting in the game being moved to Kilmarnock’s home ground.
Team news: 10 changes, Balikwisha and Welsh in for rare starts
O’Neill makes TEN changes to his Celtic team from the side that ran out 1-0 winners over Falkirk on Premiership duty in midweek, with skipper Callum McGregor the sole survivor.
Returning loan star Stephen Welsh partners Dane Murray in central defence, while forgotten summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha is handed a rare start in attack. There’s a place on the bench for 16-year-old full-back Joseph Haney.
O’Neill has opted to rest several key players with Thursday’s crucial must-win Europa League clash against Bologna in mind.
What Liam Scales has said pre-match
“We have to approach this game knowing that this is massive for their players, so we have to be right on it. You have to realise that this is a massive tie for them, it’s a massive tie for us obviously, but they are going to play like this is a cup final for them, and we have to be the same.
“When you’re at this club, you realise that if you don’t win trophies, it’s not considered successful, and that’s fair. Throughout the history of the club and how things have been, we want to maintain that history of success.
“It’s the first chance for us to play in the cup again since the cup final of last year, so we’re looking forward to getting back in the competition. It’s an away tie for us, but it’s also an away tie for them in a sense so it might be a bit of a leveller with less of an advantage to them, but we’re approaching it the exact same.
“It’s just about respecting them and playing in the exact same way as we play in a European game or a cup final, that’s it, it’s as basic as it is, it’s about respect and not thinking you can cruise games, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of this evening’s cup tie in Ayrshire...
Auchinleck Talbot:
Willie Muir; Scott Schoneville, Aiden Wilson, Austin Sime, Connor Boyd, Luke Gillies, Luke Main, Ross Clark, Cammy Crooks, Neill McPherson (C), Kyle McAvoy
SUBS: Jordan Longmuir (GK), Keiran Wood, Andrew Kerr, Alex Nimmo, Jamie Scott, Tarek Abed, Lwendo Kazoka.
Celtic:
Viljami Sinisalo; Anthony Ralston, Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh, Colby Donovan, Callum McGregor (C), Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan, James Forrest, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Johnny Kenny.