SFA reveal Burns-inspired cup deal

(GETTY IMAGES)

The Scottish Football Association have announced a £2m sponsorship deal for the Scottish Cup in a unique partnership with the Scottish Government and former Celtic director Willie Haughey.

Haughey, who owns the Glasgow-based City Refrigeration, will put in the money over the next two years but has handed the branding rights to the Government.

The competition will be called the Homecoming Scottish Cup this season to mark the drive to attract tourists to Scotland in 2009, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

The Scottish Government are then expected to use the competition to promote good citizenship and healthy living.

SFA president George Peat said: "If we can use the magic of the cup to promote our country internationally and to encourage people to live better, healthier lives, then we will be doing something really special."

The trophy has been without a sponsor since brewer Tennent's ended their long-running association in May last year in order to support the national team.