Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather
2 March 2018
ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland
Greenock Morton's primary executive has called for all 4 Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be held off since of the weather condition.
The Scottish FA state "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 actually been held off.
"I simply take a look at the blanket weather we have actually 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 simply believe a blanket postponement for this weekend's components seems the appropriate choice so everyone can get themselves back on track and begin planning once again."
SFA interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay stated: "As it stands there are no plans to call off any of the William Hill Scottish Cup Sixth Round fixtures. The desire and hope is that they proceed as prepared.
"There are no pitch inspections arranged for these matches at this stage and each host club has actually worked tirelessly to ensure the pitches and the surrounding areas are safe and in the finest possible condition.
"We restate that we remain in consistent close contact with all clubs worried, cops and local authorities. The scenario 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 actually got supporters that we sent tickets to on Tuesday this week and they have not gotten them yet," Hawke told BBC Scotland.
"We've had call today from our advocates stating, 'I've got 7 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 simply so easy to state, 'Game's on, whatever's fine on and around Celtic Park'.
"But you'll have trying to risk it since they are pass away difficult supporters, they are fanatics and they will attempt and do whatever to get to the video game.
"We are simply ruling out our customers 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 safety of supporters.
"I believe we have actually got to have the issues of the fans [on our minds] for sure," stated Hartley.
"Safety is constantly critical. Maybe sometimes simply wait to the eleventh hour. But we have got to be reasonable too in regards to when we call games off. You can't wait until the eleventh hour. Our issues is always the safety of supporters and our gamers."
Heavy snow indicates the Falkirk Stadium runs out bounds and Hartley has been forced to take his players to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a quote to prepare for Sunday.
But he is sure his players will be prepared for Rangers if the video game does proceed.
"It's been difficult in regards to the conditions and players travelling from different areas," Hartley added. "Today we thought we could get on the pitch but we needed to cancel 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 simply have to get on with it."
McKinley added: "The security of supporters, gamers and personnel, as constantly, stays our top concern. We acknowledge that, in any case, some supporters are most likely to be left inconvenienced.
"However, we are mindful that a fantastic lots of have actually already dedicated to tickets and journeys strategies and that - together with enhancing weather conditions, projections from authorities and the views of most of the clubs included - has caused our existing position.
"Any advocate who does choose to take a trip is urged to do so with care and seek advice from all pertinent public transport and travel bodies before starting any journey.
"Conditions are of course changeable and we remain on standby to react to advancements."
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