Overview
- Johnny Kenny struck on 33 minutes and Sebastian Tounekti added an 85th‑minute clincher at Rugby Park after the tie was relocated from Beechwood Park for infrastructure reasons.
- Martin O’Neill made ten changes to protect key players ahead of the Europa League trip to Bologna and a league visit to Hearts.
- Auchinleck Talbot, from Scotland’s sixth tier, delivered a disciplined performance that kept Celtic’s creativity in check for long spells.
- Supporters voiced anger at the board and the quiet transfer window, chanting “sack the board” and “sign a player.”
- Celtic will host Dundee in the fifth round, with the venue switch enabling a far larger crowd and a reported financial boost for Talbot.