Celtic chief lashes out at Kilmarnock

29 December 2009 13:33
An SPL statement said Wednesday's match was called off due to "approach roads to the stadium being declared unsafe by the police".[LNB]Similar circumstances also put paid to the Aberdeen v Falkirk game and Wednesday's St Johnstone v Hibernian and Hamilton v St Mirren matches.[LNB]However, Celtic believe the Ayrshire club neglected their responsibility to "ensure the stadium locality is safe".[LNB]Lawwell told Celtic's official website: "Clearly, we are extremely disappointed that the match has been postponed.[LNB]"We have been told that the pitch is perfectly playable, but we have also been informed that the match cannot proceed due to the stadium footprint (area surrounding the stadium) not being cleared.[LNB]"Naturally this is very frustrating for the club and its supporters.[LNB]"As is always the case, it is the responsibility of home clubs to ensure that their own footprint or locality is safe and obviously in this case, this has not been achieved."[LNB]However, it is understood that Kilmarnock have not broken any SPL rules.[LNB]The Rugby Park club ignored Lawwell's comments and issued a statement explaining the decision made by Strathclyde Police's Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Bill Fitzpatrick.[LNB]That read: "Having examined the stadium and its immediate (environs) on each of the previous two days, Strathclyde Police cannot guarantee that the football match scheduled for Wednesday night (30th December 2009) could be held without considerable and unacceptable risk to spectators and others attending the match.[LNB]"Extreme weather conditions have resulted in thick compacted ice covering large areas of the approaches to the stadium. This has proved resistant to mitigation.[LNB]"The prospect of continued low temperatures offers no prospect of an improvement in the situation and therefore a reduction in the risk to spectators.[LNB]"We have advised Kilmarnock FC of our view."[LNB]Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston stated that he fully supported the decision made, and said: "Spectator safety is a priority and we must ensure a safe environment for all those attending Rugby Park.[LNB]"We'll now make arrangements to re-schedule this match and a further announcement will be made in due course."[LNB]If Rangers beat Dundee United at Ibrox, they will go seven points clear of Celtic at the top of the SPL ahead of the Old Firm derby at Parkhead on January 3.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk