Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


Greenock Morton's president has actually required all 4 Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be postponed due to the fact that of the weather.


The Scottish FA say "there are no plans 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 been postponed.


"I just take a look at the blanket weather condition we have had," 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 believe a blanket post ponement for this weekend's components seems the appropriate choice so everybody can get themselves back on track and begin preparing again."


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


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


"We reiterate that we are in continuous close contact with all clubs concerned, authorities and local authorities. The situation will be evaluated frequently 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 fans that we sent out tickets to on Tuesday this week and they have not gotten them yet," Hawke told BBC Scotland.


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


"It's so easy to say, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have people attempting to risk it because they are die tough supporters, they are enthusiasts and they will try and do everything to get to the game.


"We are just not considering our clients one bit."


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


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


"Safety is always critical. Maybe in some cases simply wait to the eleventh hour. But we have actually got to be sensible too in terms of when we call video games off. You can't wait until the last minute. Our issues is constantly the safety of fans and our players."


Heavy snow implies 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 bid to prepare for Sunday.


But he is sure his players will be ready for Rangers if the video game does go ahead.


"It's been hard in regards to the conditions and players travelling from different places," Hartley added. "Today we believed we could get on the pitch but we needed to cancel at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect however we just need to get on with it."


McKinley included: "The security of advocates, players and staff, as constantly, remains our leading priority. We acknowledge that, in either case, some advocates are likely to be left troubled.


"However, we are conscious that an excellent numerous have actually already dedicated to tickets and journeys plans and that - along with enhancing weather, forecasts from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs included - has actually resulted in our present stance.


"Any advocate who does choose to travel is urged to do so with caution and consult all appropriate public transport and travel bodies before starting any journey.


"Conditions are naturally adjustable and we remain on standby to respond to advancements."


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