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

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


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


The Scottish FA state "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 delayed.


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


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


"I just think a blanket post ponement for this weekend's fixtures seems the right so everybody can get themselves back on track and begin planning once again."


SFA interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay stated: "As it stands there are no strategies 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 actually worked tirelessly to make sure the pitches and the surrounding areas are safe and in the very best possible condition.


"We reiterate that we are in constant close contact with all clubs worried, authorities and local authorities. The situation will be reviewed routinely on a case by case basis."


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


"We have got fans that we sent tickets to on Tuesday this week and they haven't gotten them yet," Hawke told BBC Scotland.


"We've had call today from our supporters saying, 'I've got seven tickets, by the way 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 so easy to state, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


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


"We are simply 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 requirement to consider the safety of advocates.


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


"Safety is always critical. Maybe often simply wait to the last minute. But we have got to be reasonable too in regards to when we call games off. You can't wait until the last minute. Our issues is always the security of fans and our gamers."


Heavy snow means the Falkirk Stadium runs out bounds and Hartley has actually been forced to take his players to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a quote to prepare yourself for Sunday.


But he makes sure his gamers will be all set for Rangers if the video game does go ahead.


"It's been difficult in terms of the conditions and gamers travelling from different locations," Hartley included. "Today we thought we might get on the pitch however we needed to cancel at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next couple of hours. It's not perfect but we just have to get on with it."


McKinley added: "The security of advocates, gamers and staff, as constantly, stays our top priority. We acknowledge that, either way, some advocates are likely to be left troubled.


"However, we are conscious that a fantastic many have currently committed to tickets and travels plans which - along with improving climate condition, forecasts from authorities and the views of most of the clubs involved - has led to our existing stance.


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


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


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