Non-Scottish clubs could meet in final of Scottish Challenge Cup
Tuesday 14 November 2017 16:19, UK
The final of the Scottish Challenge Cup could be contested by clubs from Northern Ireland and Wales after they were kept apart in the last four.
The New Saints, who currently sit third in the Welsh Premier League, will be at home to Scottish Championship side Dumbarton.
Irish Premiership Crusaders, meanwhile, will visit Inverness - who were relegated from the Scottish Premiership last season - on the weekend of February 17 and 18.
The Challenge Cup began in 1990/91 and the event has had more profile in recent seasons as Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian have all taken part.
With all of those clubs back in the Premiership, however, the SPFL decided to revamp the tournament in their absence from the start of last season.
As well as 'colts' - youth sides representing clubs in the top flight - four teams from Northern Ireland and Wales were invited to participate, entering from the fourth round onwards.
The top two from each league the previous season qualified, with The New Saints getting to the semis 12 months ago then going out to St Mirren.
The final of the competition traditionally takes place at a venue equidistant from the two clubs playing for the trophy.
Now there is the prospect of the decider being played without a Scottish club taking part at an as-yet undetermined ground when the game is held in March.
