Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


Greenock Morton's chief executive has actually called for all four Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be held off since of the weather condition.


The Scottish FA say "there are no strategies to call off" Celtic v Morton and Aberdeen v Kilmarnock on Saturday or either of Sunday's ties.


All weekend Scottish Professional Football League matches have been held off.


"I simply look at the blanket weather we have actually had," stated Morton's Warren Hawke.


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"We've never seen anything like this before - well I have not in my 20 years north of the border.


"I just think a blanket post ponement for this weekend's components seems the proper choice so everyone can get themselves back on track and start preparing once again."


SFA interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay stated: "As it stands there are no plans to cancel any of the William Hill Scottish Cup Sixth Round fixtures. The desire and hope is that they continue as prepared.


"There are no pitch examinations scheduled for these matches at this stage and each host club has actually worked tirelessly to ensure the pitches and the surrounding locations are safe and in the very best possible condition.


"We restate that we are in constant close contact with all clubs concerned, cops and regional authorities. The situation will be evaluated frequently on a case by case basis."


Morton's conference with Celtic is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 GMT, with Aberdeen v Kilmarnock at 15:00.


"We have actually got supporters that we sent tickets to on Tuesday today and they have not received them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.


"We have actually had call today from our advocates saying, 'I have actually got 7 tickets, by the method I can't get out of my drive - we've got a foot-and-a-half of snow here. What do I do?'


"It's just so simple to state, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have individuals trying to risk it due to the fact that they are pass away tough fans, they are fanatics and they will try and do whatever to get to the game.


"We are just ruling out our consumers one little bit."


Falkirk manager Paul Hartley, whose side go to Rangers on Sunday (14:15) after Motherwell host Hearts (16:15), highlighted the requirement to consider the security of fans.


"I believe we have actually got to have the issues of the supporters [on our minds] for sure," stated Hartley.


"Safety is constantly vital. Maybe often just wait to the eleventh hour. But we have got to be practical too in regards to when we call games off. You can't wait until the eleventh hour. Our concerns is constantly the safety of fans and our gamers."


Heavy snow indicates the Falkirk Stadium is out of bounds and Hartley has actually been required to take his players to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a bid to prepare for Sunday.


But he is sure his players will be prepared for Rangers if the video game does proceed.


"It's been hard in terms of the conditions and players travelling from different locations," Hartley added. "Today we believed we might get on the pitch but we needed to abort at the last minute. We managed to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect but we simply have to get on with it."


McKinley included: "The safety of supporters, players and staff, as always, stays our top concern. We acknowledge that, in any case, some advocates are likely to be left inconvenienced.


"However, we are conscious that a great numerous have currently devoted to tickets and travels strategies which - along with enhancing weather condition conditions, projections from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs involved - has led to our present position.


"Any advocate who does decide to travel is advised to do so with caution and consult all relevant public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


"Conditions are of course changeable and we stay on standby to respond to developments."


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