Premiership colt teams could play in next season's Petrofac Cup

The Petrofac Training Cup is to undergo a massive revamp, with 54 teams, including Premiership colt sides and teams from Northern Ireland and Wales, taking part next season.

Sunday's Petrofac Training Cup final between Rangers and Peterhead could be the last in the current format. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

Tomorrow’s final between Rangers and Peterhead will mark the last time the competition is played in its current format. Plans for changes to the tournament, which currently includes the 30 Championship, League 1 and League 2 sides as well as one representative each from the Highland and Lowland League, were discussed with SPFL member clubs this week.

They include the 12 under-20 sides from the top-flight clubs taking part in the first round as well as four clubs each from the Highland and Lowland Leagues. Clubs from the three senior leagues will be phased into the competition dependent on their finishing position this season up until the third round where two teams from Northern Ireland and two teams from Wales will join in to make up ties involving 32 teams.

A representative from a member club said: “The plans are very radical indeed and would test the water for the introduction of colt sides into league football. It also introduces elements of a British Cup, so it could be a very exciting tournament next season.”