Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Going On 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 held off because of the weather condition.
The Scottish FA say "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 actually been postponed.
"I simply take a look at the blanket weather we have had," stated Morton's Warren Hawke.
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"We've never seen anything like this before - well I have not in my twenty years north of the border.
"I simply believe a blanket post ponement for this weekend's fixtures appears the proper decision so everybody can get themselves back on track and start preparing once again."
SFA interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay said: "As it stands there are no strategies to call off any of the William Hill Scottish Cup Sixth Round components. The desire and hope is that they continue as prepared.
"There are no pitch inspections scheduled for these matches at this stage and each host club has actually worked relentlessly to ensure the pitches and the surrounding locations are safe and in the finest possible condition.
"We restate that we remain in constant close contact with all clubs concerned, police and regional authorities. The circumstance will be examined 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 got advocates that we sent tickets to on Tuesday today and they have not gotten them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.
"We have actually had call today from our fans saying, '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 so easy to state, 'Game's on, everything's fine on and around Celtic Park'.
"But you'll have people trying to risk it because they are die tough advocates, they are fanatics and they will attempt and do whatever to get to the game.
"We are just ruling out our consumers one little 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 supporters.
"I believe we have got to have the issues of the advocates [on our minds] for sure," said Hartley.
"Safety is constantly paramount. Maybe in some cases just wait to the eleventh hour. But we have actually got to be sensible too in terms of when we call video games off. You can't wait until the last minute. Our issues is always the security of supporters and our players."
Heavy snow indicates the Falkirk Stadium is out of bounds and Hartley has been required to take his players to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a bid to prepare yourself for Sunday.
But he is sure his players will be prepared for Rangers if the video game does go ahead.
"It's been tough in terms of the conditions and gamers taking a trip from various places," Hartley included. "Today we thought we could get on the pitch however we had to abort at the last minute. We managed 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 added: "The security of fans, players and personnel, as always, stays our top concern. We acknowledge that, either method, some advocates are likely to be left troubled.
"However, we are mindful that a terrific numerous have actually already devoted to tickets and journeys strategies which - together with improving climate condition, forecasts from and the views of most of the clubs involved - has led to our existing position.
"Any fan who does choose to take a trip is advised to do so with care and consult all pertinent public transport and travel bodies before embarking on any journey.
"Conditions are obviously changeable and we remain on standby to respond to developments."
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