If you are a Celtic fringe player and you don’t feature against Auchinleck Talbot, then the writing is on the wall.
You suspect Martin O’Neill will ring the changes for the Scottish Cup clash at Rugby Park, especially given that Celtic travel to Bologna next Thursday for the Europa League and then the Premiership showdown against Hearts at Tynecastle.
67 Hail Hail will take a look at three Celtic fringe players, who not only need to start against Auchinleck Talbot, but also put in a strong performance to show they still have something to offer.
Yes, if you perform, you aren’t going to jump around because of the opposition you are facing, but you are only as good as your last game, and at least it’s a positive boost.
Do you agree with Martin’s predicted XI for Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic?
Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Celtic’s summer signing hasn’t featured since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty for DR Congo, and wasn’t even on the bench against Falkirk in midweek.
It has been a troublesome start for Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who, out of all of the wingers, looks the worst of the lot.
Hopefully, Balikwisha starts against Auchinleck, scores his first goal in Celtic colours, and he can get some much-needed confidence in his legs.
Paulo Bernardo
Paulo Bernardo has been at Celtic since 2023, impressing during his loan spell, but faltering ever since, and now you hardly see him on the pitch.
The 23-year-old has played under 400 minutes this term, and hopefully, he will be another player that O’Neill starts at Rugby Park.
You could argue that, out of all the fringe players in the Celtic squad, Bernardo is the one who deserves more minutes and starts because he has proven that he can do a job in the middle of the park.
Stephen Welsh/Dane Murray
Putting two in this category, depending on who starts on Sunday. Stephen Welsh was recalled from his loan spell at Motherwell this month, and it didn’t go down well with fans.
On top of that, he wasn’t even in the matchday squad for Celtic’s win over Falkirk.
Either way, Celtic need a right-sided centre-back. And could Welsh be the answer? He certainly did well at Fir Park, and if he does start and perform against Auchinleck, then he gets the ball rolling under O’Neill.
As for Dane Murray, if he doesn’t feature against Auchinleck, then the writing is probably on the wall that he needs to leave.
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