Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather

2 March 2018


ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland


Greenock Morton's president has required all 4 Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be delayed because of the weather condition.


The Scottish FA state "there are no plans to cancel" 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 postponed.


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


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"We've 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 components appears the right 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 fixtures. The desire and hope is that they continue as prepared.


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


"We repeat that we are in consistent close contact with all clubs concerned, cops and local authorities. The circumstance will be evaluated frequently on a case by case basis."


Morton's meeting 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 out tickets to on Tuesday this week and they have not received them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.


"We have actually had phone calls today from our advocates stating, '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, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have individuals trying to risk it due to the fact that they are pass away tough fans, they are fanatics and they will attempt and do everything to get to the video game.


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


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


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


"Safety is constantly paramount. Maybe sometimes simply wait to the eleventh hour. But we have actually got to be sensible too in regards to when we call video games off. You can't wait until the eleventh hour. Our issues is always the safety of advocates and our players."


Heavy snow means the Falkirk Stadium runs out bounds and Hartley has been required to take his gamers to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a bid to prepare yourself for Sunday.


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


"It's been difficult in regards to the conditions and gamers travelling from different areas," Hartley included. "Today we believed we could get on the pitch however we needed to abort at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a full pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect but we simply need to get on with it."


McKinley included: "The safety of supporters, players and staff, as constantly, stays our top priority. We acknowledge that, in either case, some supporters are likely to be left bothered.


"However, we are conscious that a terrific lots of have currently devoted to tickets and journeys plans which - along with improving weather, projections from authorities and the views of most of the clubs involved - has actually resulted in our present position.


"Any supporter who does decide to travel is prompted to do so with care and speak with all pertinent public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


"Conditions are naturally changeable and we stay on standby to react to advancements."


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