O’Neill Reflects on Celtic’s Challenging Cup Victory

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill acknowledged the challenges faced during the team’s recent Scottish Cup victory against sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot, stating that he did not gain significant insights about his squad.

In the match, only captain Callum McGregor retained his position from the previous game against Falkirk, as O’Neill opted to give chances to several fringe players. Stephen Welsh made his first appearance for Celtic since December 2024 after returning from a loan at Motherwell, while winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha was reintroduced to the lineup, and Johnny Kenny took his place up front.

Despite O’Neill’s stated need to bolster the squad during the January transfer window, no new players have been acquired at Parkhead as of yet. Kenny missed several opportunities before scoring the opening goal from close range, and substitute Sebastian Tounekti later netted a stunning second goal.

Fans expressed their frustration with the on-field performance, chanting, “sign a player” during the match at Rugby Park. “Tonight, I would have preferred a more impressive performance,” O’Neill remarked. “I have been concerned about our gameplay, a sentiment that has persisted throughout my last 30 years in management. We should have performed better, and I am not certain that I learned anything beyond what I already knew.”

Following a laborious victory against part-time opponents, O’Neill was again questioned about the club’s progress in securing new signings. He humorously responded, “I do dread this question, but we are making progress and hope to recruit new players before the end of the season.”

O’Neill has maintained a perfect domestic record since his return to Parkhead after the controversial departure of Brendan Rodgers in October. His recent stint follows a brief 33-day tenure of Wilfried Nancy.

“We made ten changes to the lineup,” O’Neill stated. “A couple of players who featured today had not been utilized in my initial matches, including Balikwisha and Paulo Bernardo. This was an opportunity to evaluate their capabilities. We have a good understanding of what we need to address in the transfer window, and I am eager to move forward.”

Kenny, who scored his sixth goal of the season, received feedback regarding his missed opportunities and the overall aspects of playing as a lone striker. Former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara observed, “Many teams facing Celtic are comfortable allowing them possession as long as they don’t penetrate through the lines. They push play wide and believe they can manage the game without a true target man in the center to win headers.”

Ryan Stevenson, a former Hearts striker, also shared his critique of certain players in the starting lineup. “Martin will certainly gain insights about those on the fringes today. He and his coaching staff will review individual performances and determine who seized their chance and who fell short.”

Kenny expressed hope that his goal would ignite improved performance leading into crucial European matches against Bologna and Utrecht, along with a pivotal Scottish Premiership clash against league leaders Hearts. “As a striker, it’s crucial to be prepared for opportunities when they arise. It’s been a challenging few weeks, but I believe in our team. We have experienced a minor setback, and we must focus on one game at a time, starting with Bologna on Thursday night.”