Celtic embark on a new campaign tonight when they host St Mirren at Cappielow in the Development League, kick-off 7pm free entry.
After two season’s as an u-20 league the SPFL have given the competition the development stamp which effectively returns it to the reserve league that was scrapped in 2009 after Celtic had won the championship eight years running.
An u-19 league was introduced in the 2009/10 season which was won by Celtic coached by Stevie Frail and captained by Matty Hughes.
During the last two seasons the competition has been opened up to an u-20 age group plus three over-age players, plus an over-age goalkeeper, with this season five over-age players, plus a keeper available for selection.
As well as all the top flight clubs Hibs, Hearts, Sevco, Dunfermline and Falkirk are taking part to provide a 32 match programme with the games scheduled for Tuesday nights.
After an up and down term last season Celtic won their last four matches to take the 2014 title which was no mean feat considering that they had lost to Hibs and Hearts prior to going on that run.
The Celtic side that finished last season bore little resemblance to the team that started the campaign with half a dozen players sent out on loan during the January transfer window.
That move created space for younger players such as Joe Thomson and Paul McMullan to make their mark with midfielder Thomson particularly impressive with his eye for goal.
Last season’s side pushed Liam Henderson, Darnell Fisher and Eoghan O’Connell towards first team status with Aiden McIlduff and Kieran Tierney being called in for top team duty already this season despite playing at u-17 level last season.
With half of his likely squad for tonight in action against Spurs at the weekend Frail won’t have much time to shape a team for tonight but is well versed in putting together teams at different stages in their development.
Celtic had two narrow wins over St Mirren in the closing weeks of last season with tonight’s match likely to be another close encounter as a new term kicks off in the Development League.