Motherwell U20s learn Challenge Cup fate

Motherwell under-20s celebrate after winning the Scottish Youth Cup final for the first time in the club's history with a 5-2 success over Hearts at Hampden on April 27, 2016 (Pic by Alan Watson)

All 12 Premiership under 20 sides were included in the draw for the first round of the revamped Challenge Cup.

Last season’s Highland League top four are also involved along with four Lowland League teams and clubs from Northern Ireland and Wales.

Eight League Two clubs also entered today’s first round draw, with Elgin City being given a bye into round two for finishing runners-up last term.

First round ties are scheduled for August 2 and 3.

The 14 winners from the first round will be joined by East Fife, Elgin City and the clubs from last season’s Ladbrokes League 1 (minus Dunfermline Athletic and Ayr United) for the second round stage.

The Ladbrokes Championship clubs join the competition in the third round along with Dunfermline and Ayr.

The representatives from the Northern Ireland Football League (Crusaders and Linfield) and the Welsh Premier League (Bala Town and The New Saints) enter the competition in the fourth round.

FIRST ROUND DRAW

North section

Inverness Caley Thistle Colts v Arbroath

Cove Rangers v Dundee Colts

Ross County Colts v Brora Rangers

Formartine United v Aberdeen Colts

East Stirling v Montrose

Stirling Albion v Hearts Colts

St Johnstone Colts v Turriff United

South section

Celtic Colts v Annan Athletic

Cumbernauld Colts v Hamilton Academical Colts

Berwick Rangers v Spartans

Clyde v Partick Thistle Colts

Rangers Colts v Stirling University

Queen’s Park v Kilmarnock Colts

Motherwell Colts v Edinburgh City