Dundee United reserve team manager Craig Easton is relishing the prospect of being in charge for the Irn-Bru Cup.
Easton and under-18 coach Scott Robertson, both newly-appointed by the Tangerines, will be in the dugout as a predominantly second-string pool of players competes in the competition.
The first round draw takes place today at 1pm at the People’s Palace in Glasgow.
A total of 48 teams are involved – the 30 clubs from the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2, the 12 Premiership colt teams and three teams each from the Highland and Lowland League. First-round ties will be played in the midweek of August 14 and 15.
Following UEFA approval, Sutton United and Boreham Wood of England’s Vanarama National League will join Bohemians and Bray Wanderers of the Republic of Ireland), Northern Irish duo Crusaders and Coleraine, and Welsh pair The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads at the second-round stage of the competition, which is scheduled for September 8 and 9.
Easton can’t wait to face that challenge so soon after rejoining the club where he spent such a successful time as a player.
“I was aware of that when I agreed to take the job and it’s something that I am looking forward to,” said Easton.
“It will be something that the younger players should benefit from and I’m sure they will all be keen to see who we get in the draw.
“It is all about them improving as footballers and this tournament should provide them with invaluable experience.”
