Auchinleck Talbot aims for a major upset in the Scottish Cup as they host Premiership team Celtic at Rugby Park this Sunday evening.
The sixth-tier West of Scotland League club currently sit second in their division and have performed well in this tournament, but face a tough opponent in Celtic, a club that has won the Scottish Cup 42 times.
Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Sunday, January 18.
- Kick-off: 5:30 PM BST.
- Venue: Rugby Park.
Auchinleck Talbot Team News
Connor Boyd is leading Auchinleck’s attack with 23 goals this season, partnering striker Kyle McAvoy, who has scored 12 goals.
Boyd showcased his talent in the third-round win over Dumbarton, scoring twice in a 4-0 away victory. Midfielder Ewan Thomson, who has 15 goals, will also play a key role in creating opportunities against the Premiership champions.
Manager Tommy Sloan expressed disappointment at losing the home advantage of Beechwood Park due to infrastructure issues, but remained optimistic. He stated, “Though it wasn’t at our ground, we’re playing Celtic here at Rugby Park, so we’ll focus on that.”
Celtic Team News
Celtic will be missing several key players due to injuries. Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are sidelined, while winger Jota is out for the season with a serious knee injury.
Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that Jota is “unlikely to return this season” after facing setbacks in his recovery.
O’Neill might rotate his squad significantly as they prepare for an important Europa League match against Bologna on Thursday, January 22. This could lead to players like Colby Donovan, Dane Murray, and Viljami Sinisalo starting. Benjamin Nygren, who scored in Celtic’s recent win against Falkirk, may also be involved.
On the venue change, O’Neill remarked: “If I wasn’t with Celtic, I’d be disappointed. But as their manager, I’m probably pleased. It could work in our favor.” After a challenging win on Falkirk’s artificial pitch, a neutral venue like Rugby Park might benefit his team.
Form
Auchinleck Talbot
Auchinleck is second in the West of Scotland Premier Division with 28 points from 11 matches, just two points behind leaders Troon FC and having two games in hand.
They have a solid history in the Scottish Junior ranks, winning the Scottish Junior Cup 14 times and the Super League title six times in seven years before the football pyramid expanded.
Celtic
Under Martin O’Neill’s leadership, Celtic has improved significantly. After a tough stretch under Wilfried Nancy, where they won only 2 of 8 games, O’Neill has restored stability.
The team is currently second in the William Hill Premiership, six points behind Hearts. They achieved a 1-0 away win against Falkirk on January 14, with Benjamin Nygren’s 43rd-minute header being the crucial goal, and they have maintained back-to-back clean sheets.
Predicted Lineups
Auchinleck Talbot: Muir; Clark, Gillies, McPherson, Wilson; Sime, Crooks, Thomson, Main; Boyd, McAvoy.
Celtic: Sinisalo; Donovan, Murray, Scales, Tierney; Hatate, McGregor, Bernardo; Hyun-Jun, Kenny, Tounekti.
How to Watch Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic?
The match will be available live on Premier Sports 1 (also known as Viaplay Sports in the UK) and can be streamed via the Premier Sports Player.
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