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 actually required all 4 Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be postponed because 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 actually been held off.


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


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


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


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


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


"We reiterate that we are in constant close contact with all clubs concerned, police and local authorities. The situation will be evaluated frequently on a case by case basis."


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


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


"We've had phone calls today from our supporters 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 so easy to state, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


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


"We are simply not considering our clients one little bit."


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


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


"Safety is always critical. Maybe often just wait to the last minute. But we have actually got to be reasonable too in terms of when we call games off. You can't wait up until the last minute. Our issues is always the safety of advocates and our gamers."


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


But he is sure his players will be all set for Rangers if the game does proceed.


"It's been tough in terms of the conditions and players taking a trip from different locations," Hartley added. "Today we believed we might get on the pitch but we needed to call off at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a full pitch for the next couple of hours. It's not perfect but we just have to get on with it."


McKinley included: "The safety of fans, players and staff, as always, remains our top concern. We acknowledge that, in any case, some supporters are likely to be left troubled.


"However, we are conscious that a fantastic numerous have already devoted to tickets and and that - together with enhancing climate condition, forecasts from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs included - has actually caused our present position.


"Any supporter who does choose to travel is urged to do so with care and seek advice from all appropriate public transportation and travel bodies before starting any journey.


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


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