Stephen Craigan
Former Motherwell defender on BBC Sportsound

It gives everybody an opportunity to show what they're about, to show their strengths.

It maybe gives managers a surprise too, they may see players they didn't think about until the competitive action started.

That's what you want as a young player, you want to be playing.

It's not pre-season no, Willie, you're right.

However, plenty of teams are not close to having a full contingent to choose from.

Clyde have named just three subs while Cove Rangers have eight trialists in their matchday squad

Killie boss Derek McInnes wasn't the happiest when speaking midweek, saying: "I think the League Cup should be pushed back another week because it is unfair on clubs who are trying to get their squad together.

"Nobody can be ready at this stage, it is unfair on everybody."

Just the four subs for Stranraer FC this afternoon too.

It's early days indeed in the transfer window though.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Since this format has started, I really get fed up with managers saying this was pre-season.

This is the first competitive game of the season.

Please, please, managers out there don't me the nonsense that this is pre-season.

This is the start of the season.

York City have signed Ayr United striker Dipo Akinyemi for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old scored 24 goals in 46 games for the Scottish Championship side last season.

The Minstermen have not revealed the length of contract the former Dulwich Hamlet and Welling man has signed.

"I spoke to [head of recruitment] Dave Stockdale and there's a lot of ambition in the club at the moment,"Akinyemi told the club website., external

Image source, SNS

When asked if both Mark Birighitti and Charlie Mulgrew are free to leave Dundee United, having not been given squad numbers, manager Jim Goodwin says they are.

"Yeah, we've had conversations with both players, honest conversations," he said.

"Have to say both, were both very professional in their understanding of what we're trying to do.

"Charlie, he's had a terrific career - he's not finished yet I don't think, he'll still have another move in him if that's what he opts to do.

"We've got a new singing in Kevin Holt in that position and a young lad in Ross Graham who is desperate for his opportunity and we don't want to block up that pathway.

"So that's the decision we have to make, so that's why we did make it with Charlie.

"With Mark, it's a chance I wanted to make. We've brought in Jack Walkton, a top goalkeeper, with English Championship experience.

"He's already experienced two promotions with previous clubs and we're hoping that he can get a third here with Dundee United."

In Group B, two of the probable Scottish Championship heavyweights Dundee United and Partick Thistle meet while Fife rivals Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic face off in Group F on Saturday evening.

Ayr United and Queen's Park pushed hard for promotion last season and can test their credentials against top-flight St Johnstone and Motherwell, respectively.

Spartans are the SPFL's newcomers in League 2 and they find themselves in Group B with United, Thistle, Falkirk and Peterhead. They open at home to the Tangerines on Saturday.

For Cove Rangers, Hamilton Academical, Clyde, Peterhead and Albion Rovers, rebuilding is the order of the day after being relegated at the end of last season.

Dundee are among the sides getting Saturday off, with one team in each five-strong group inactive in the four game weekends/midweeks.

Celtic are the holders and have won seven of the past nine editions of the competition.

For the eighth year in a row, the tournament begins with a 40-team, eight-group first round, wherein teams play each other once.

The group winners and three best runners-up progress to the round of 16, to be joined with holders Celtic and Scotland's other European representatives Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers.

For round one, 37 SPFL teams are joined by two from the Lowland League - Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath - and Highland League Brechin City.

Whether regarded as glorified pre-season friendlies or much needed competitive action, the group stage can provide clues about the season ahead.

Prize money and television income for the competition will total around £3m, with £380,000 going to the winner.

Competitive football returns in Scotland...a whole 41 days since last season ended with that dramatic afternoon in Dingwall.

Holidays and pre-season are both now over for the club as the League Cup group stage commences with plenty of transfer rumours still swirling around.

These group stages are not to be sniffed at as getting out of the group plus two more wins gets you a game at Hampden in the semi-finals.

Stick with us this afternoon for every goal and every incident from every game.

Image source, SNS