Airdrie player-boss Rhys McCabe is in the early stages of building his squad for next season, but hopes their Premier Sports Cup clashes provide a good platform to take into the league - just as they did last season.
McCabe scored a stunning free-kick to help earn a memorable 2-0 derby win over Motherwell in a glamour group game during last season's competition.
This term their Premiership challenge comes in the form of St Mirren in Group E, which also includes Arbroath, Edinburgh City and Cowdenbeath.
And McCabe is hoping his squad can give another good account of themselves.
The 29-year-old said: "It's similar to last season in that there's a good variety of teams.
"It's one that gives us a bit of optimism.
"St Mirren is a good chance for the players to go and test themselves and see how big the gap is from the league that we play in to the Premiership.
"We had that last year with the big Motherwell fixture and showed what we can do and the performance levels we can bring.
"Hopefully we take these performances into the league campaign with confidence.
"Sometimes the league can be a bit repetitive facing the same teams, so it's good for the fans to get these games.
"Given the standard of teams we are playing, it's not always easy to get a cup run going, as such, so when the bigger games come up you've got to go and enjoy them for your sake and for the sake of the fans."
Meanwhile, McCabe has revealed he called on the advice of a famous family member before taking the Diamonds job.
Former Scotland women's boss and ex-Stirling University manager Shelley Kerr is McCabe's aunt and he added: "When the opportunity came up I wanted to speak to her. I'm close with her anyway and she stays in the same estate as me.
"She has a lot of work commitments but we always make a point of having a coffee every now and then, whenever we are not working or busy with our schedules.
"So I wanted to run the idea past her and get her opinion and advice on it. She was all for it.
"It's a good connection to have."
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