DECISION DAY IN BID TO AVOID FIXTURE WIPEOUT

SCOTTISH football will today discover if it faces a weekend wipeout after the ‘Beast from the East’ snow storm took a grip of the country. One Premiership match, eight lower-league games and the entire west and east junior programme have already been postponed. No call has yet been made on the four Scottish Cup quarter-finals, which are split over tomorrow and Sunday, with the surrounding areas and adjoining roads central to the decision in each case. Although the weather today is not expected to be quite as severe as earlier in the week, temperatures are not expected to get much above zero, which means there is unlikely to be a significant improvement in underfoot conditions. Celtic are due to start the weekend with a lunchtime clash against Morton tomorrow, having seen their midweek league game against Dundee fall victim to the big freeze. Hope remains that the match will go ahead, with Celtic Park stadium manager Robin Buchanan yesterday tweeting a picture of a clear playing surface above the words: ‘1st day of Spring at Celtic Park. Pitch looking good for Saturday.’ Kilmarnock are due to travel to Aberdeen for a 3pm kick-off tomorrow, with Hearts travelling to Motherwell on Sunday before Rangers entertain Falkirk. Decisions on each of those matches are likely to be made today. In the event of either of the Old Firm’s games going off, they will be rescheduled for March 14. The other two ties would take place this coming Tuesday. An SFA spokesperson said last night: ‘All efforts are being made to ensure the William Hill Scottish Cup sixth-round fixtures go ahead as planned. ‘There are no pitch inspections scheduled at this stage but we are in close contact with all clubs, police and local authorities to review all matches on a case-by-case basis. As always, the safety of supporters, players and staff is our top priority.’ Tonight’s Championship clash between Dundee United and St Mirren has already been postponed, as have tomorrow’s scheduled games between St Johnstone and Hamilton, and Dunfermline and Livingston. As things stand, Ross County’s basement battle with Partick Thistle goes ahead. Two League One games — Airdrieonians v Stranraer and Albion Rovers v Queen’s Park — are already off. Montrose’s game with Annan Athletic is currently the only match in League Two to survive.