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 required all four Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be delayed because of the weather condition.


The Scottish FA state "there are no plans to cancel" Celtic v Morton and Aberdeen v Kilmarnock on Saturday or either of Sunday's ties.


All weekend Scottish Professional Football League matches have actually been postponed.


"I just take a look at the blanket weather we have actually had," said Morton's Warren Hawke.


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


"I just think a blanket postponement for this weekend's components appears the proper choice so everybody can get themselves back on track and once again."


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


"There are no pitch assessments arranged for these matches at this phase and each host club has worked relentlessly to ensure the pitches and the surrounding areas are safe and in the best possible condition.


"We reiterate that we remain in consistent close contact with all clubs concerned, cops and regional authorities. The scenario will be examined routinely on a case by case basis."


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


"We have actually got advocates that we sent tickets to on Tuesday this week and they have not gotten them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.


"We've had telephone call today from our advocates stating, 'I have actually got seven 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 simply so simple to say, 'Game's on, everything's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have individuals attempting to risk it because they are die hard advocates, they are enthusiasts and they will attempt and do whatever to get to the game.


"We are simply ruling out our customers one little bit."


Falkirk supervisor Paul Hartley, whose side check out Rangers on Sunday (14:15) after Motherwell host Hearts (16:15), highlighted the requirement to consider the security of advocates.


"I think we have got to have the concerns of the fans [on our minds] for sure," said Hartley.


"Safety is always vital. Maybe in some cases simply wait to the eleventh hour. But we have got to be reasonable too in regards to when we call games off. You can't wait till the last minute. Our concerns is constantly the security of fans and our gamers."


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


But he makes certain his gamers will be ready for Rangers if the video game does proceed.


"It's been difficult in regards to the conditions and gamers taking a trip from different places," Hartley included. "Today we thought we might get on the pitch but we needed to abort at the last minute. We managed to get Ravenscraig and a full pitch for the next few hours. It's not ideal but we simply have to get on with it."


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


"However, we are mindful that a fantastic many have already committed to tickets and travels strategies and that - in addition to enhancing weather condition conditions, forecasts from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs included - has resulted in our present position.


"Any advocate who does choose to travel is urged to do so with care and consult all relevant public transportation and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


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


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