NO Colin Paterson

What was a good competition which offered lower-league clubs a realistic chance of winning a national trophy has become a complete shambles.

The decision to allow Northern Irish and Welsh clubs to take part along with top-flight youth teams is a joke.

The Challenge Cup has been completely devalued and demeaned by what is nothing more than a Celtic calamity.

Let’s be clear; the SPFL’s clubs have given their approval to this new format.

Members of the SPFL Board are taking forward recommendations from the organisation’s Competitions Working Group.

All clubs have been aware for some time of the proposals on the table. That there has been no public dissent suggests a majority are in favour of giving this monstrosity a go. Part-time teams may live to regret this. Those in positions of influence have argued that the tournament needed freshened up and an injection of new money.

But nine winners in the last nine years suggests the competition was healthy.

While earning an extra £500 in prize money if you get knocked out in the first round compared to last season is not going to break the bank.

Even the £17,750 a club receives for winning the whole thing is small potatoes.

While understanding the reason for Northern Irish and Welsh clubs getting a bye to the fourth round — with all Scottish clubs involved by round three — there can be no disputing the fact that we’re rolling out the red carpet for them. The question is: Why? Our domestic game is stronger and better than Northern Ireland’s while the Welsh Premier League is of poor quality with dismal crowds.

The introduction of Premiership Under-20s sides is potentially the thin end of the wedge.

People at the top of our game are desperate to get ‘B’ teams into the league set-up proper. This feels like a first step towards that happening.

I’m genuinely saddened that a tournament which has provided so many fans with great memories has changed beyond all recognition.

The Challenge Cup has been devalued. It’s nothing more than a Celtic calamity