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

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


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


The Scottish FA say "there are no plans 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 postponed.


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


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


"I just believe a blanket postponement for this weekend's fixtures appears the correct decision so everyone can get themselves back on track and begin preparing again."


SFA interim president Andrew McKinlay stated: "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 continue as prepared.


"There are no pitch inspections scheduled for these matches at this phase and each host club has worked relentlessly to guarantee the pitches and the surrounding locations are safe and in the best possible condition.


"We repeat that we remain in constant close contact with all clubs worried, police and local authorities. The circumstance will be reviewed 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 got supporters that we sent tickets to on Tuesday this week and they haven't gotten them yet," Hawke told BBC Scotland.


"We have actually had telephone call today from our 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 simple to state, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have people trying to risk it because they are pass away difficult advocates, they are fanatics and they will attempt and do everything to get to the video game.


"We are just ruling out our clients one bit."


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


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


"Safety is constantly vital. Maybe often just wait to the last minute. But we have actually got to be reasonable too in regards to when we call video games off. You can't wait until the eleventh hour. Our issues is constantly the safety of fans and our players."


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


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


"It's been difficult in terms of the conditions and players taking a trip from different locations," Hartley added. "Today we believed we could get on the pitch however we needed to abort at the last minute. We managed to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next couple of hours. It's not ideal however we simply need to get on with it."


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


"However, we are conscious that an excellent numerous have currently committed to tickets and travels plans which - together with enhancing weather condition conditions, projections from authorities and the views of most of the clubs involved - has actually led to our present position.


"Any advocate who does decide to take a trip is urged to do so with caution and speak with all pertinent public transport and travel bodies before starting any journey.


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


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