PASTA Mick Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 (edited) The Scottish Challenge Cup is being expanded to include teams from Wales and Northern Ireland from season 2016-17, following approval from Uefa. The tournament for teams outside the top flight will also include an under-20s side from each Scottish Premiership club in the first round. Four teams from the Highland League and four from the Lowland League will also enter at that stage in August. Two Welsh sides and two from Northern Ireland enter the last 16 in October. It is expected these will be the top two from the Welsh Premier League and Northern Ireland Football League, meaning places for The New Saints and Bala Town and Crusaders and Linfield. One Welsh side and one from Northern Ireland will be guaranteed a home tie. Draws will be regionalised throughout the competition and seeded for the first three rounds, with the final to be played in March. "We are 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," said Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster. The SPFL say the majority of fixtures will take place during international weekends, while BBC ALBA, S4C and Premier Sports will all show live matches. Championship winners Rangers lifted the trophy last season, beating Peterhead in the final at Hampden. Edited June 8, 2016 by PASTA Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 I think this sounds good. It will be interesting to see how the under-20s teams do. I expect the Welsh and Irish sides will do well. Hopefully a Scottish side makes the final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandydunn Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 It's not he worst idea ever. Would the highland/lowland teams get subsidised for travelling to Wales/Ireland though? Maybe a bit out of their normal budget. But on the other hand,would prize money for reaching that stage cover the costs? Be interesting to see how it develops. Fvck knows how I'll explain to the missus that I'm off to Wales for a couple of days to watch the u-20's though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giblet Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Decent idea, note the Welsh and North Irish teams arent in till 4th round. Could be a tasty away trip right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoonTheSlope Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 6 minutes ago, giblet said: Decent idea, note the Welsh and North Irish teams arent in till 4th round. Could be a tasty away trip right there. Do we get a bye this year seen as we are in Europe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Hibs v Linfield would be an interesting experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macy37 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Why put the welsh/irish in so late on? Part of the attraction for the 3rd div clubs would be a draw v these sides but the likelyhood of ever meeting them is extremely slim I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLAS Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Sounds reasonable and gives the development squads a proper competitive cup competition. Just hope that the final is never Wales/Norn Ireland v Wales/Norn Ireland. Also hope the Premiership teams don't fill their U20s with first team players either just for a crack at an easy cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deecie Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 As a supporter of Scottish football, I'm against all change. So, booooooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandydon Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Some of the fixtures are scheduled to take place on international weekends - the very times that young players from under 20 sides are often away with their countries. Also currently 5 over age players are allowed to play for the under 20s sides, will this be the case in this competition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoonTheSlope Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Does this clear the way in future for cross border competitions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErsatzThistle Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Oh great Linfield are coming . A club with some of the most racist supporters in Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 It's a great alternative to the Sentanta Cup that the Irish League and League of Ireland clubs played for. Hopefully Crusaders and Linfield put decent sides out and the crowds get behind the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu101 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Seems like a really good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIGHTOWER 1314 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Pile o pish and the only thing that appeals to me would be if raith got an away trip to wales or ireland.Do the spfl not realise it costs money for teams to travel to these places so will there be subsidised travel or bigger prize money pot.Doncaster and his cronies are clowns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamntg Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Hope Utd put in their under 20s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wembley67lisbon Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 How Many cups do we need in Scotland ffs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 We have enough horrible biggoted folk never mind inviting linfield ffs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Och Aye Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 We could call it the Anglo Scottish Cup or the Texaco Cup. Group sections in the League Cup this season too. Scottish football going round in circles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ormond Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 The start of the journey to one British team instead of our separate home nations. Terrible idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Gills Mcginty Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Which highland league clubs are in? presumably the top 4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErsatzThistle Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 A potential Linfield vs Celtic Under-20s game in Belfast will no doubt be a respectful, friendly contest ................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandydon Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 The SPFL are going to subsidise any club drawn away to an Irish or Welsh side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlueGaz Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Early stages of moving towards what the rugby do? It works well there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossy Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Anything that makes the game more interesting to people should be encouraged. I think they've made a good decision with this, and with the League cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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