Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admitted he did not learn much about his squad after a laborious Scottish Cup victory over sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot.

Only captain Callum McGregor kept his place from the team that edged out Falkirk on Wednesday, as O'Neill handed opportunities to some of the fringe members of his squad.

Stephen Welsh made his first Celtic appearance since December 2024 having been recalled from his loan spell at Motherwell, winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha was brought in out of the cold, and Johnny Kenny was restored up front.

O'Neill has been forthright about the need to strengthen in the January window but, more than halfway through it, there have been no new arrivals at Parkhead.

Kenny missed a host of chances before stabbing home the opening goal from close range and substitute Sebastian Tounekti curled in a magnificent second late on.

Fans chanted "sign a player" at Rugby Park as they were left unimpressed by the fare on the pitch.

"Tonight, it would have been nice to put on a great performance," O'Neill said. "I was very concerned about the game - but that's how I've spent the last...