Travel chaos caused by Storm Gerrit has led to the postponement of Aberdeen’s clash with Motherwell, marking the second cancellation in Wednesday night’s Scottish Premiership fixtures.
Earlier, Rangers’ game against Ross County was also called off, as the visiting team couldn’t travel to Glasgow. The severe weather has led to the closure and congestion of large sections of the A9, a major Scottish roadway, due to snow, torrential rain, and strong winds.
Aberdeen Football Club announced that the severe weather had caused significant flooding and damage to main routes in and out of the city, making travel risky for fans. The rail network has also been affected, with all services being canceled.
Alan Burrows, the club’s chief executive, mentioned that despite the Pittodrie stadium and pitch being in decent condition, the severe weather conditions posed a serious challenge for fans of both teams to reach the stadium safely. He noted that the decision to postpone the match was taken after discussions with the league, police, and other involved parties, prioritizing safety.
The postponement of the Rangers and Ross County match at Ibrox was confirmed following discussions with Police Scotland. Rangers issued a statement acknowledging that while their pitch was ready for the game, the adverse weather, particularly on the A9, prevented Ross County from reaching Glasgow. A rescheduled date for this match will be announced later.
In the league standings, Rangers trail leaders Celtic by five points, holding two games in hand, while Ross County, currently in 10th place, is just a point ahead of Motherwell. Aberdeen is in eighth place. All teams are set to play again on Saturday, with Rangers scheduled to face Celtic in the much-anticipated Old Firm derby.
Despite the disruptions, three out of five matches scheduled for Wednesday, including the Edinburgh derby, are still set to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Scottish Premiership
Q: Why were the Aberdeen vs. Motherwell and Rangers vs. Ross County matches postponed?
A: Both matches were postponed due to travel disruptions caused by Storm Gerrit. Severe weather conditions, including snow, heavy rain, and strong winds, led to road closures and gridlock on the A9, making it unsafe for the teams and fans to travel.
Q: Were the stadiums and pitches in good condition for the matches?
A: Yes, despite the adverse weather, the stadiums and pitches were in good condition and ready to host the matches. However, the safety of fans and teams during travel was the primary concern leading to the postponements.
Q: Will the postponed matches be rescheduled?
A: Yes, both Aberdeen vs. Motherwell and Rangers vs. Ross County matches will be rescheduled. The new dates for these fixtures will be confirmed later.
Q: How does this affect the Scottish Premiership standings?
A: Rangers, who are five points behind leaders Celtic with two games in hand, will need to wait for their chance to close the gap. Ross County and Motherwell’s positions in the league remain unchanged for now.
Q: Are there any other matches affected by the storm?
A: Three out of five scheduled matches for that day, including the Edinburgh derby, are still set to proceed as planned, despite the weather disruptions.
More about Scottish Premiership
- BBC Sport – Scottish Premiership matches postponed
- Scottish Premiership official website
- Aberdeen Football Club website
- Rangers Football Club website
- Ross County Football Club website
- Celtic Football Club website
