Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admits he's still searching for the perfect squad after a hard-fought Scottish Cup win over lowly Auchinleck Talbot. Despite a laborious victory, O'Neill remains uncertain about his team's potential, with only captain Callum McGregor retaining his starting spot. The manager handed opportunities to fringe players, including Stephen Welsh, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Johnny Kenny, who struggled to capitalize on his chances. Despite the lack of new signings so far in the January transfer window, O'Neill remains focused on strengthening the team. The fans' chants of 'sign a player' echo their dissatisfaction with the current squad. O'Neill acknowledges the need for improvement, stating, 'I'm not so sure I learned much more than I knew before.' The team's performance against part-time players has raised questions about their readiness for crucial matches in Europe and the domestic league. Former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara highlights the challenge of playing against Celtic, emphasizing the importance of a target man in the middle. Former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson suggests that O'Neill will use this game to evaluate the fringe players' performance, with the manager's decisions likely to shape the team's future.
