Reserves Ready For Scottish Cup

Alan Stubbs' side play first of two games this afternoon.

Everton's reserves today play the first of two ARR Craib Cup games they'll have this weekend.

The Blues are joined in the four-team tournament by a Celtic XI, hosts Partick Thistle and today's opponents, Airdrie United.

Depending on the outcome of today's matches, they will take on either the Hoops or Partick on Sunday.

Ross Barkley, Conor McAleny, Luke Garbutt and Mateusz Taudul left the first team party on Friday to boost Alan Stubbs' second string.

And the former Blues defender is looking forward to the challenge of two games in as many days.

"We jump into it quite quickly really and the level of competitiveness will be there," he told evertontv.

"Our first game is against Airdrie United, who will be a test for us, especially because we will probably have a younger team playing.

"On the Sunday, we will probably be stronger, so we obviously would like to get into the final and play Celtic if they come through their game and we come through ours. That's the ideal situation, but we need to play well on the Saturday first.

"I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we can carry on from last season and take it into the next."