It’s not every season that Celtic face Auchinleck Talbot.
The Junior side from Ayrshire play in Scotland’s seventh-tier, but are one of the most well-known clubs in the country at that level.
Martin O’Neill will know that he can’t take anything for granted with this Celtic squad, but even if he wasn’t planning on making too many changes, his hand may be forced.
That’s because after Auchinleck, it’s a top-of-the-table clash with Hearts sandwiched between a crucial Europa League double-header.
So 67 Hail Hail’s prediction of the starting Xi reflects the unique circumstances of Sunday’s tie.
What’s your score prediction for Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic?
Celtic’s predicted starting XI vs Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup
Celtic’s performance against Falkirk wasn’t the most pleasing on the eye, but they got the job done.
O’Neill has now delivered two wins and two clean sheets since making his interim return for the second time this season.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill addresses ‘Scottish market’ after Kieron Bowie Celtic question
The prediction has seven changes in total, giving much-needed minutes to a few players in particular who have barely kicked a ball.
It introduces Stephen Welsh to the starting XI, partnering Liam Scales in the backline. Welsh deserves the chance to play after such an impressive loan spell at Motherwell.
Vijlami Sinisalo is brought in for Kasper Schmeichel, whilst there’s more minutes for Colby Donovan. Kieran Tierney keeps his place due to a lack of available options at left-back.
Callum McGregor starts to keep some form of familiarity in the midfield. Paulo Bernardo is alongside him, having not played a minute since his poor display against Motherwell.
O’Neill’s comments about Michel-Ange Balikwisha have indicated that he may start, though the Hoops boss sees him as a number ten more than a winger. For him to simply prove that he’s an actual footballer would be nice.
The ever-robust Daizen Maeda moves to the left flank, with Johnny Kenny and James Forrest making up the rest of the front three.
Agree or disagree with the calls? Have your say…
Do you agree with Martin’s predicted XI for Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic?
Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha
In case you missed it, O’Neill’s words on the mystery outcast were as follows: ”Well, I think he’s just waiting for his turn and waiting for an opportunity to play.
“Hopefully he will be involved tomorrow in the game. “He’s been away for the African nations as well too. But I did say to him at the time – even though he didn’t get a start under me, he came on a couple of times as sub, but the games were pretty well fired through at that stage.
“I said to him that the new manager coming in may well find out that he’s as good as everything that we have at the football club.
“And that may still be the case. In terms of the training, he’s just back, he’s been back now a few days. He wasn’t in the squad for the game the other night, but he’ll participate tomorrow and give me an idea.
“I know it’s on the plastic surface, but even so, it gives me an opportunity to have a look.
” “He’s a very, very nice footballer. A really nice player and trains well too. He’s never come in and moaned about not being on the side, I suppose.
“He got disappointed in the African nations. He got on pretty late on and it went into extra time. “I think he lost the ball in some aspect, but the goal was scored much, much later than was said.
“There was build-up and stuff like this here, but he was blaming himself for that. He’s a really, genuinely nice lad.”
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