Martin O’Neill has named his team for this evening’s Scottish Cup Fourth Round match against Auchinleck Talbot. The Scottish Champions will be hoping for a routine victory over the junior outfit at Rugby Park…
Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI
In goals, Vil Sinisalo starts as he looks to stake a claim as club No.1 for next season.
In defence, Tony Ralston starts at right back with Colby Donovan at left back. The central pairing consists of Dane Murray and Stephen Welsh.
In midfield, Callum McGregor captains the team with Paulo Bernardo in beside him. It looks like Michel-Ange Balikwisha will start in the No.10 position rather than off the wings.
Luke McCowan and James Forrest arrive at Tynecastle. Hearts v Celtic, 26 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
James Forrest will start on one flank with Luke McCowan on the other. Johnny Kenny will start for Celtic through the middle.
Subs: Schmeichel, Scales, Nygren, Yang, Shin, Tounekti, Maeda, Hatate, Haney.
O’Neill has made a number of changes to the squad today as he looks to navigate a busy week. After the game in Ayrshire, Celtic travel to face Bologna in the Europa League before the top of the table meeting with Hearts at Tynecastle.
📋 How we line-up for this afternoon’s #ScottishCup match ⤵️#AUCCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/dQ2E1DXHv1
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 18, 2026
Few players on show this evening, that have to show they can be trusted by MoN and Maloney, for the remainder of this season imo.
So mentality will be key tonight.
Regardless, disappointment at kelchi not even making the bench, which is bit of a setback, with the week ahead?
Complacency could be our biggest enemy tonight, but not really in the nature of MoN to allow the likes to effect ourselves to much in gaining the result required imo?