Naismith: ‘penalties are big moments’

A penalty from club record signing, Arne Engles, and a goal from another new boy, Luke McCowan, saw Celtic maintain their unblemished record in the William Hill Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park.

Steven Naismith’s men, however, had a first-half penalty claim turned down after a header from striker Lawrence Shankland appeared to hit the arm of Celtic defender Liam Scales.

Later, a cross was adjudged to have hit the hand of Hearts’ player James Prentice and referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot after a VAR review.

The victory sets Celtic up for Wednesday’s home Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava and the Parkhead men lead the Premiership table on goal difference from resurgent Aberdeen. Both have 15 points but Celtic have a goal difference of plus 15 against plus seven by The Dons.

Brendan Rodgers side have also logged five wins without conceding a goal for only the second time in their history. The last occasion was in 1906.

Hearts are bottom of the 12-strong table with one point but their fans can at least look back on an improved performance.

Statistics, however, show that the Men in Maroon have lost seven games in a row in all competitions and four of their first five games in the league.

The visitors best chance game with the score at 1-0 when substitute Blair Spittal fired in a low cross and Musa Drammeh connected, but Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel saved on the line.

Naismith (pictured) told BBC Sport Scotland: “The key moments in the game are the penalties. For me, they are both in the same camp. These moments are big in these games.”

Rodgers said that, by the rules, the officials were correct to overturn Hearts’ penalty claim.