Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather
2 March 2018
ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland
Greenock Morton's president has actually called for all four Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be delayed due to the fact that 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 been delayed.
"I just look at the blanket weather we have had," said Morton's Warren Hawke.
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"We have actually never 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 proper choice so everyone can get themselves back on track and begin preparing again."
SFA interim president Andrew McKinlay stated: "As it stands there are no strategies to cancel 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 actually worked tirelessly to ensure the pitches and the surrounding locations 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 circumstance will be 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 received them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.
"We've had phone calls today from our fans stating, 'I've got seven tickets, by the way 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 simple to state, 'Game's on, everything's fine on and around Celtic Park'.
"But you'll have individuals trying to risk it since they are pass away hard advocates, they are fanatics and they will try and do everything to get to the video game.
"We are simply not considering our clients one bit."
Falkirk manager Paul Hartley, whose side go to Rangers on Sunday (14:15) after Motherwell host Hearts (16:15), highlighted the requirement to consider the security of advocates.
"I think we have got to have the issues of the advocates [on our minds] for sure," stated Hartley.
"Safety is always vital. Maybe sometimes 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 till the eleventh hour. Our issues is always the security of advocates and our gamers."
Heavy snow suggests the Falkirk Stadium is out of bounds and Hartley has been forced to take his gamers to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a quote to get all set for Sunday.
But he is sure his gamers will be prepared for Rangers if the game does go ahead.
"It's been difficult in regards to the conditions and players travelling from various places," Hartley added. "Today we thought we could get on the pitch however we had to cancel at the last minute. We managed to get Ravenscraig and a complete pitch for the next few hours. It's not ideal but we simply need to get on with it."
McKinley added: "The security of supporters, players and staff, as always, remains our leading priority. We acknowledge that, in either case, some advocates are likely to be left bothered.
"However, we are conscious that an excellent many have actually currently committed to tickets and travels plans and that - in addition to improving weather, forecasts from authorities and the views of most of the clubs involved - has actually resulted in our current position.
"Any supporter who does choose to take a trip is prompted to do so with care and speak with all relevant public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.
"Conditions are of course changeable and we stay on standby to react to developments."
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