Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Going Ahead 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.


The Scottish FA state "there are no strategies 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 delayed.


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


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


"I simply think a blanket post ponement for this weekend's components appears the right decision so everybody can get themselves back on track and begin planning again."


SFA interim president Andrew McKinlay said: "As it stands there are no plans to cancel any of the William Hill Sixth Round fixtures. The desire and hope is that they proceed as prepared.


"There are no pitch evaluations set up for these matches at this stage and each host club has worked tirelessly to make sure the pitches and the surrounding areas are safe and in the finest possible condition.


"We reiterate that we remain in consistent close contact with all clubs concerned, police and local authorities. The scenario will be evaluated regularly on a case by case basis."


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


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


"We have actually had call today from our fans stating, 'I've 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 just so simple to state, 'Game's on, everything's fine on and around Celtic Park'.


"But you'll have individuals attempting to risk it since they are die hard advocates, they are fanatics and they will try and do everything to get to the game.


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


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


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


"Safety is always paramount. Maybe often simply wait to the eleventh hour. But we have got to be reasonable too in terms of when we call games off. You can't wait until the last minute. Our concerns is always 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 players to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a quote to prepare yourself for Sunday.


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


"It's been tough in regards to the conditions and players taking a trip from various areas," Hartley added. "Today we believed we could get on the pitch but we needed to call off at the last minute. We handled to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next few hours. It's not perfect but we just need to get on with it."


McKinley included: "The safety of advocates, gamers and personnel, as constantly, remains our top priority. We acknowledge that, in either case, some fans are likely to be left inconvenienced.


"However, we are mindful that an excellent lots of have currently devoted to tickets and journeys strategies and that - along with enhancing weather condition conditions, forecasts from authorities and the views of the majority of the clubs involved - has caused our existing stance.


"Any fan who does decide to take a trip is prompted to do so with caution and seek advice from all relevant public transportation and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.


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


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