Livingston boss David Martindale has hit back at claims from the Scottish Government that Rangers could have done more to halt fan celebrations.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Rangers chiefs of "not doing nearly enough" to prevent the mass Covid rule breaches at Ibrox and in George Square.
It appears to have put the clash with Celtic at Parkhead at risk of being axed.
However, Martindale admits he doesn't see what more the Premiership champions could have done to prevent the celebrations.
The Lions' boss also believes it was lucky punters were not mixing with other people who would have been around Glasgow city centre outside of lockdown.
Martindale said: "I don't understand what Rangers were meant to do.
"I was sitting debating it with someone the other day. I thought to myself, 'Thank God we're in lockdown when that happened'.
"I thought that because can you imagine if we weren't? I think that city centre would have been absolutely jumping and I think there would have been a bit of violence through a lot of people congregating in one area.
"We were pretty fortunate it was probably just Rangers supporters who were out on Sunday.
"Everyone knows my background and the fact I've been to prison. See the amount of people who are in prison as a result of Rangers and Celtic games, it's incredible.
"People who have lost their lives or committed a murder or drink-fuelled violence, someone's been stabbed. Honestly there is more than you'd care to imagine.
"So I think being in a lockdown helped us slightly because it was just Rangers supporters enjoying their occasion. You never had a mix of people and fans congregating with them because they were having a Sunday night out on the town.
"But I don't understand what Rangers were meant to have done better. I don't know how you control that.
"I'm lucky I've only got 600 fans!"
The First Minister told Holyrood she shared the "anger" over the "disgraceful" behaviour of fans and that she would be speaking with Police bosses to ensure there was no repeat when Rangers head to Parkhead.
It has raised fears the remainder of the Scottish season could come under threat if there is a repeat of the large-scale gatherings.
Martindale added: "I don't believe the Celtic-Rangers game is going to have the same proportion of people they had on Sunday.
"Hopefully the government's announcements have made people become a bit more realistic and they stay away from the stadium.
"I don't think it would be great for anyone if two sets of fans turn up.
"Hopefully it's just a threat to keep people away."
