The competition, which was piloted last term, is viewed as a tournament that could ultimately come to be regarded as a reserve Champions League, with top teams from all over the Continent competing.

Last season, Celtic fared well against Manchester City, Marseille and Barcelona. Tonight they will face up to Sporting Lisbon at Firhill.

With entry fixed at £5 for adults and £2 for kids, Kennedy hopes there will be some genuine interest in the games so that the youngsters ultimately get the chance to experience what it can be like to play in a busy stadium in a competitive game.

The games will be played at Partick Thistle's ground as Celtic look to preserve their own playing surface and protect it from too many games.

"It is another step in their development and it all adds to preparing for them what they might face on a Saturday when they go out at Celtic Park," said Kennedy.

"In the past the only real exposure to European football would be in pre-season tournaments but when it comes to this, it can only enhance them as players to be involved in it.

"We see it as a top tournament against top opposition. We need to keep trying to push them.

"That is when you get the best out of them and you see that they either go one way or the other. We're fortunate that we have a lot of them who have kicked on and got into the first-team squad which is a big bonus for us.

"The players should view it as a big opportunity to go and test themselves. It's a replica of the Champions League at youth level and we see it as a vital part of their development.

"I would have relished it when I was a younger player because it is a chance to play a different style."

Kennedy himself was thrown in at the deep end as a teenager when Martin O'Neill threw him at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in 2004.

Injuries had ravaged the Celtic squad and Kennedy was given his chance.

Jackson Irvine, who will play tonight against Sporting Lisbon, revealed the youngsters under Kennedy had asked him about that night.

But so far the young coach has not been tempted to regale them with his tails of keeping Ronaldhino quiet.

"Not at all," he smiled. "They'll have tales of their own exploits to tell when they finish their careers.

"They do occasionally ask, but I just rubber-ear them!"