COWDENBEATH captain Robbie McNab has said that his club are looking forward to contesting the SPFL Trust Trophy in the forthcoming campaign.

The 28-year-old said any of the Lowland League clubs would've been happy to accept an invitation from organisers to play in the tournament, which begins at the end of this month.

The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition took place last week, with the Blue Brazil drawn to face Kilmarnock 'B' in their opening tie, with the winners going on to play either Hibernian 'B' or Albion Rovers.

In a revamped competition for the 2024/25 season, which does not feature clubs from outwith Scotland, who were first invited in 2016, the 30 non-Premiership SPFL sides are joined in the competition by 11 top flight 'B' sides, six teams from the Lowland League, and five from the Highland League.

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As well as Cowden and Albion, Berwick Rangers, Bo'ness United, East Kilbride and East Stirlingshire were invited from the Lowland League, which provoked disappointment from some of their rivals.

Cumbernauld Colts, Tranent and Linlithgow Rose, who finished fourth, fifth and eighth in last season's division, above the Blues, Albion Rovers, Berwick and East Stirling, felt that they had a stronger case for inclusion.

Speaking at the draw for rounds one and two, at Hampden, last Monday, McNab commented: "We're paid to do a job.

"We're there to play football and if we get asked to go and play in this cup, any cup, then the players, the staff and the club will probably be happy to do it.

"I know there was a wee bit of back and forth between teams that maybe finished higher in the league, but it's not down to the teams that are picked. They didn't pick themselves to go in there, and I'm sure if any other clubs that are below us, or they maybe didn't finish up as high in the league, got asked, they would do the exact same.

"It's just good for the clubs like ourselves, Albion Rovers etc, to get in and test yourself against a bit better competition, and have a crack at some good days."

With an increase in prize money on offer this season - the tournament winners will bank £100,000 - there is financial incentive for clubs to progress, but McNab, who admitted to being in the dark over Cowden's first round opponents, said the chance of silverware makes it a big deal for players.

"All teams in our position will probably be thinking the exact same," he continued.

"It's the same with most cup competitions. You do want to do well in them, obviously for a crack at a bit of silverware, but then obviously what it means for the club behind the scenes as well.

"I'm sure that's why the club have got me out here today, obviously want to show face, show to the fans, show to the company, what it means to them.

"There's plenty of incentive to go and do well."

He added: "Kilmarnock B, I don't really know too much about them.

"It's different when you're getting a team like that, compared to a Rangers, Celtic or a Hearts, when you play them in the league.

"You're just kind of going into the unknown.

"I don't know much about them at all, but it's at home, at our bit, so it'll probably be as much an experience for us as it is for them."