Scottish Cup: Morton Chief Questions Games Proceeding Amid Bad Weather
2 March 2018
ByJonathan Sutherland & Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland
Greenock Morton's chief executive has actually called for all 4 Scottish Cup quarter-finals to be held off because of the weather.
The Scottish FA say "there are no strategies 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 actually been postponed.
"I just look at the blanket weather condition we have had," stated Morton's Warren Hawke.
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"We've never ever seen anything like this before - well I haven't in my 20 years north of the border.
"I simply believe a blanket postponement for this weekend's fixtures appears the appropriate decision so everybody can get themselves back on track and start planning again."
SFA interim president 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 planned.
"There are no pitch inspections scheduled for these matches at this phase and each host club has actually worked relentlessly to make sure the pitches and the surrounding locations are safe and in the very best possible condition.
"We reiterate that we are in consistent close contact with all clubs worried, authorities and regional authorities. The circumstance will be evaluated routinely on a case by case basis."
Morton's meeting with Celtic is set up 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 today and they have not received them yet," Hawke informed BBC Scotland.
"We have actually had telephone call today from our supporters stating, 'I have actually got seven tickets, by the method I can't leave my drive - we've 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 individuals trying to risk it due to the fact that they are pass away hard advocates, they are fanatics and they will attempt 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 safety of advocates.
"I think we have got to have the issues of the advocates [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 sensible too in terms of when we call games off. You can't wait till the last minute. Our issues is constantly the safety of advocates and our players."
Heavy snow indicates the Falkirk Stadium runs out bounds and Hartley has actually been required to take his gamers to Ravenscraig for some indoor training in a bid to get all set for Sunday.
But he is sure his gamers will be all set for Rangers if the video game does go ahead.
"It's been hard in regards to the conditions and gamers travelling from various places," Hartley included. "Today we believed we might 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 ideal however we just have to get on with it."
McKinley added: "The safety of fans, gamers and personnel, as always, remains our leading priority. We acknowledge that, in either case, some supporters are likely to be left inconvenienced.
"However, we are conscious that a fantastic numerous have currently devoted to tickets and travels plans which - together with enhancing climate condition, forecasts from authorities and the views of most of the clubs involved - has actually caused our current stance.
"Any advocate who does decide to take a trip is prompted to do so with caution and speak with all appropriate public transportation and travel bodies before starting any journey.
"Conditions are of course changeable and we stay on standby to react to developments."
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