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 required all four Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be delayed because of the weather.


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 actually had," Warren Hawke.


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


"I just think a blanket postponement for this weekend's fixtures seems the right decision so everyone can get themselves back on track and begin preparing once again."


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


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


"We restate that we remain in constant close contact with all clubs concerned, cops and regional authorities. The scenario will be examined 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 tickets to on Tuesday this week and they haven't gotten them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.


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


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


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


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


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


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


"Safety is constantly paramount. Maybe often simply 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 till the eleventh hour. Our concerns is constantly the security of advocates and our players."


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 prepared for Sunday.


But he makes certain his gamers will be prepared for Rangers if the video game does proceed.


"It's been challenging in terms of the conditions and players taking a trip from various places," Hartley included. "Today we thought we could get on the pitch but we had to abort at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a full pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect however we simply need to get on with it."


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


"However, we are mindful that an excellent numerous have currently devoted to tickets and travels strategies which - together with enhancing weather condition conditions, forecasts from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs involved - has resulted in our current stance.


"Any supporter who does choose to travel is prompted to do so with care and seek advice from all relevant public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


"Conditions are naturally adjustable and we stay on standby to respond to developments."


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