At first glance the new look Challenge Cup seems like a bizarre football experiment, a look underneath at the format suggests something interesting and worthwhile for Celtic’s Development squad.
Bringing in reserve teams, Highland and Lowland League sides as well as teams from Wales and Northern Ireland seems haphazard but the way that the competition has been structured should ensure that there is something for everyone- with interest growing round by round.
Celtic will come in at the first stage with the other 11 SPFL Premiership sides plus four teams from the Lowland League, four from the Highland League and eight sides from SPFL League Two.
Assuming that the hoops survive that August clash they will then progress to the next stage where they’ll be joined by two teams from League Two and eight League One clubs.
Progress into the third round would then bring Celtic up against one of the Championship sides, potentially Neil Lennon’s Hibernian, or one of the top two teams from League One.
The first three rounds appear to be qualifying round producing twelve Scottish teams who will then be joined by two clubs from Northern Ireland and Wales with the tournament becoming a straight knock out from that stage.
If successful Celtic will be involved in seven good quality matches to provide an alternative to the Development League while Celtic’s u-19 side will be competing in the UEFA Youth Cup.
A first round ko at East Kilbride or Brora is also possible but with the tournament starting in August it’s unlikely that part-time opponents will be able to live with the young Celts.
Premier Sports as well as S4C will cover the later stages of the competition with BBC Alba continuing their association with the competition.
Discussing the new look to the competition Neil Doncaster said: “The introduction of Ladbrokes Premiership u20 teams will give young players a taste of competitive football at senior level, while extending the number of Highland and Lowland League clubs taking part further strengthens the pyramid system and their place within Scottish professional football.
“We are also very pleased to be supported by UEFA in delivering an element of cross-border competition through the invitation to our colleagues in Northern Ireland and Wales which brings a completely new dimension to the Challenge Cup and the levels of excitement and interest in it.”
