Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Going On Amid Bad Weather

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


Greenock Morton's president has actually called for all four Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be postponed because of the weather.


The Scottish FA state "there are no strategies to abort" 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 held off.


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


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


"I simply think a blanket post ponement for this weekend's components seems the proper decision so everyone can get themselves back on track and start planning 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 planned.


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


"We repeat that we remain in continuous close contact with all clubs worried, authorities and local authorities. The situation will be examined regularly 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 got supporters that we sent tickets to on Tuesday today and they have not gotten them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.


"We've had phone calls today from our advocates saying, 'I have actually got seven tickets, by the way I can't leave my drive - we've got a foot-and-a-half of snow here. What do I do?'


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


"But you'll have people attempting to risk it due to the fact that they are die hard advocates, they are enthusiasts and they will try and do everything to get to the video game.


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


Falkirk manager Paul Hartley, whose side check out Rangers on Sunday (14:15) after Motherwell host Hearts (16:15), highlighted the need to think about the security of fans.


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


"Safety is always paramount. Maybe in some cases simply wait to the last minute. But we have got to be practical too in regards to when we call video games off. You can't wait up until the eleventh hour. Our issues is always the security of fans and our gamers."


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


But he makes certain his players will be prepared for Rangers if the game does go on.


"It's been challenging in regards to the conditions and gamers taking a trip from different places," Hartley included. "Today we thought we could get on the pitch but we had to call off at the last minute. We managed to get Ravenscraig and a full pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect but we just have to get on with it."


McKinley added: "The security of supporters, players and staff, as always, remains our leading priority. We acknowledge that, either method, some supporters are most likely to be left inconvenienced.


"However, we are mindful that a great many have actually currently devoted to tickets and travels plans which - along with improving weather condition conditions, forecasts from authorities and the views of most of the clubs has caused our current position.


"Any fan who does choose to travel is advised to do so with care and seek advice from all relevant public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


"Conditions are of course changeable and we remain on standby to react to developments."


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