This season's Scottish Cup competition will be known as the Homecoming Scottish Cup. Glasgow businessman Willie Haughey has donated the branding rights of his £2million, two-year sponsorship package to the Scottish Government.

The cup will be used to promote the Homecoming tourism drive, which has been designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Thanks to the generosity of Willie Haughey, it's given us a no-brainer as a government.

"His sponsorship allows us to get across a whole range of really important messages, about football for all, citizenship through football, healthy living, participation and lifestyle choices, anti-sectarianism. As well as the Homecoming Scottish Cup - a jewel in the crown of the Homecoming initiative next year.

"There is nothing as big as football in Scotland, this is our national sport.

"I think the Scottish Cup is the best club competition in the world, and just remember the Homecoming Scottish Cup will be broadcast in 40 nations - Australia, Canada, New Zealand.

"Everybody interested in Scotland wants to know what's happening in the Scottish Cup, so it's a great platform for the Homecoming message.

"That's exactly our target audience, people coming back to Scotland, perhaps to see a round in the Scottish Cup or participate in some of the other 150 events."

The £1million-per-year deal will allow the SFA to divert money into youth football following a near 18-month search for a replacement to former sponsor Tennent's.

Haughey has a long association with Scottish football having served as a Celtic director and financial backer of Livingston.

He said: "We all want Scotland to prosper, our people to be healthier and, of course, to keep on producing great footballers. I made this investment so we can work to make this happen."