Celtic play their first ever match in the Irn Bru Cup on Tuesday night when they host Annan Athletic at Cappielow.
The unique fixture will be televised live by Premium Sports who have also provided live coverage of all three of this seasons Champions League qualifiers.
For the first time clubs from the top tier of Scottish Football will take part in what used to be known as The Challenge Cup with the condition being that the Premiership clubs have to use their Development Squad- players under 20 plus three overage outfield players.
Celtic have used overage players sparingly in recent seasons but there were a few games last season where you could watch Scott Allan, Anthony Stokes, Callum McGregor and even Derk Boerrigter.
Getting the balance right between developing players and exposing them to real football experiences is one of the toughest jobs in the game.
Liam Henderson was playing in the Development League as a 17-year-old when he forced his way into Neil Lennon’s first team plans before going on loan to Rosenborg and Hibs for regular first team experience.
In the current Development squad Anthony Ralston is the best example of a player benefiting from going out on loan. After half a season with Queens Park he returned to Celtic transformed, making his top team debut at the end of last season with only injury delaying that eventuality.
A win against Annan could set the side off on a seven match run to the final with the standard of opponent going up round by round with clubs from Wales and Northern Ireland entering the last 16 of the competition.
An extended run in the Irn Bru Cup could provide the players with the mix of experiences that they need alongside fixtures in the Development League, Premier League International Cup and UEFA Youth League.
It promises to be an interesting idea, provided Celtic put a run together, CLICK HERE to view the gallery of five young players out to impress in the Irn Bru Cup.