Kilmarnock have made Rugby Park available to Auchinleck Talbot as the West of Scotland Premier Division side prepares for their iconic Scottish Cup clash against Celtic…

Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot , Scottish Cup Third Round at Marbill Coaches Stadium in Dumbarton on 29 November 2025. Auchinleck fans celebrate with their team. Photo IMAGO Andy Scott

In the fourth-round draw held on Sunday, the Ayrshire club was paired with the reigning Scottish Premiership champions in a once-in-a-lifetime fixture.

Talbot’s Beechwood Park holds up to 4000 spectators

Unsurprisingly, this has sparked questions about whether Talbot’s Beechwood Park is an appropriate venue for a match of that scale on the weekend of January 17/18 next year.

The venue in the small East Ayrshire village is thought to be capable of holding roughly 3,800 to 4,000 spectators. Ultimately, it will be up to Police Scotland to determine whether the plan can proceed.

Auchinleck Talbot's players celebrate — Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot , Scottish Cup Third Round at Marbill Coaches Stadium in Dumbarton on 29 November 2025 Auchinleck Talbot’s players celebrate with Kyle McAvoy 24. IMAGO Photo Andy Scott

Reports suggest that Premiership side Kilmarnock have indicated they are willing to provide their stadium if the situation calls for it.

Kilmarnock are also at home , playing Dundee in the Scottish Cup

Kilmarnock’s club chiefs are known to have strong ties with the neighbouring WOSFL club. As a result, Talbot will benefit financially if extra fans from both sides are in Rugby Park rather than Beachwood.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side are also set to host Dundee that same weekend, meaning any change of venue would require careful planning to sort out the scheduling of both fixtures.

However, Talbot assistant manager Allan McLuckie says the club’s clear preference is to stage the match at their own ground, provided the decision rests with them.

“It’s a fairy tale to get Celtic to come play at Beechwood”

Speaking via Daily Record, McLuckie said: “It’s a fairy tale to get Celtic to come play at Beechwood, you’d never have thought that five, 10 years ago, so I can see that side of it.”

“But I think a lot of it will be dictated to by the police and then maybe Celtic and the SFA themselves. The committee needs to talk about it first and then we’ll take direction from them. It’d be great to have them at home but, by the same token, you’ve got an opportunity to leave a massive legacy in terms of the money that comes into the club.”

McLuckie added: “It might be by the end of this week [when a decision is made]. Could you switch it to Parkhead? I don’t know whether that’s a possibility or not. Certainly Kilmarnock have come forward and offered their pitch. I think a lot of them would rather play at home on the smaller pitch.”

Conor Spence