CELTIC'S defence of what is now known as the Sky Sports Cup starts at lunchtime when they play Partick Thistle at Petershill Park. Today's second round fixtures follow Tuesday's announcement that the broadcaster had agreed an unprecedented seven season television and sponsorship deal with the SWPL.
While the value wasn't divulged, credible sources have assured me it is worth just under £4m. That's a phenomenal sum in the context of previous commercial deals for the domestic game in Scotland – and it will benefit all 20 clubs as well as raising the profile of the sport and making it easier to attract further partners.
In addition to their League Cup sponsorship, Sky will have the rights to a minimum of five live matches each season. The deal supplements the existing broadcasting agreements with BBC Alba and BBC Scotland.
