A 2-0 win over Auchinleck Talbot did little to quell the growing dissent among the Celtic support as goals from Johnny Kenny and Sebastian Tounekti saw them progress in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

Kenny finished from close range at the near post following Luke McCowan’s near-post cross in the 34th minute at Rugby Park.

A much-changed but largely-experienced Celtic team predictably dominated possession but struggled to finish off the sixth-tier side until substitute Tounekti curled into the top corner from 18 yards with five minutes left.

Each goal was met with anti-board chants, which were supplemented by basic pleas for some transfer activity.

The Celtic fans chanted “sign a player” and “if you want the Celts to lift the Scottish Cup, sign a player”, as they continue to wait for the club’s first January arrival.

Summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s performance in the fourth-round tie would have strengthened opinion that improvements were needed in the club’s recruitment strategy.

The game had been moved from the West of Scotland Premier Division side’s Beechwood Park to nearby Kilmarnock on police instructions, a decision that Celtic manager Martin O’Neill accepted would help his team.

O’Neill made 10 changes, with Callum McGregor the sole survivor from the midweek win over Falkirk.

Stephen...