Celtic and Rangers fans must follow current lockdown rules and not gather outside in large groups to mark this weekend's Old Firm match, Jason Leitch has warned.
Scotland's clinical director reminded supporters today the "Stay at Home" message remains in place until April 2 and that meetings of more than two households outdoors remained banned.
It comes as Steven Gerrard's side prepare to visit Celtic Park on Sunday for the first time since winning the club's first league title in a decade.
Thousands of Rangers fans gathered in Glasgow two weeks ago to celebrate the triumph despite clear lockdown rules banning large outdoor events.
The scenes prompted fears that covid cases across Scotland could spike as a result.
Speaking at the Scottish Government's regular media briefing today, Leitch was asked if there was now evidence of cases rising due to the title parties seen in George Square and outside Ibrox Stadium.
He said: "You can't solidly link somebody's attendance at a pub, a restaurant, or a home, and their positive test.
"You can if it's inside a workplace and it's big outfit - but it's very difficult because of the incubation period of the virus to be sure.
"There is a time-related uptick in cases across the west of Scotland, kind of after weekend. However, we can't know for sure that one led to the other.
"It seemed to happen quite quickly - (the number of cases) went up up a little bit, and now it has stayed stable.
"I can tell you that some Test and Protect interviews - with people who have tested positive - suggest some of them were there.
"I know for certain that the science tells us if people gather, the virus can spread. So that gathering still worries me.
"I haven't seen, fortunately, a big uptick in cases."
On this weekend's Old Firm game, Leitch added: "Both clubs have been very clear. The message is very straightforward. Stay at home."
The title celebrations in Glasgow earlier this month were severely criticised by both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney, who dubbed the lockdown rule-breaking as "shameful".
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
