New guard shine for sizzling Celtic as Hearts left to stew on 2 VAR penalty calls – 3 talking points

Arne Engels struck on first start and Luke McCowan also bagged his maiden goal as Celtic maintained their 100 per cent Premiership start.

The £11million signing rolled home a penalty kick six minutes into the second period to set them on their way against Hearts. Engels, who had earlier smacked a post, grasped the spot-kick moment after Jambos defender James Penrice was adjudged to have handled a Nicolas Kuhn cross in the box. It was no more than Celtic deserved due to their domination of the contest and the clincher was then struck in the final moments by McCowan, who had come on for the opening goalscorer.

The former Dundee star struck home from the edge of the box to secure the points and extend the unblemished Celtic start to the campaign. It was a sore one for Steven Naismith’s men. Hearts battled manfully and thought they had a penalty themselves in the opening period after referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot for a handball against home defender Liam Scales.

READ MORE:James Penrice sees Celtic penalty call split the pundits as Hearts get VAR answer over Liam Scales 'handball' snub

READ MORE:Why Arne Engels took Celtic penalty and not Reo Hatate as Brendan Rodgers has say on big VAR calls

After VAR review, he overturned his decision, but consultation with the screen after the Penrice offence did bring an award. Despite home control, there was still just a goal in it until almost injury time when McCowan bagged, but it’s now seven straight defeats for the Tynecastle club.

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates
Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates -Credit:Getty Images

Celtic had to be patient before completing the mission which sets them up perfectly for Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Slovan Bratislava. With the champions in hot form, Hearts had to try and stay in it for as long as possible and got to the interval intact, despite some big scares.

Engels flashed a first chance wide at the near-post from a trademark Alistair Johnston pullback. Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi both had chances soon afterwards with Reo Hatate having a deflected shot beaten clear by Craig Gordon.

Engels then came even closer when smacking the inside of a post from a Kuhn flick as the attacking waves crashed towards Hearts. From nowhere, the visitors looked to have a golden chance to score when referee Steven pointed to the penalty spot for handball against Scales. However, following a VAR check, the whistler overturned his decision. Lawrence Shankland had the header that hit Scales and soon followed up with a shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel as the visitors finally got into it.

Gordon's great save from Kyogo and Kuhn’s follow-up hacked off the line kept it blank at the break, but Celtic were in front just six minutes after the restart.

Hearts again lost out on a handball shout after Kuhn’s cross hit Penrice in the box. Steven was again called to the monitor and awarded the spot-kick which was eventually handed to Engels. The Belgian was full of composure as he sent Gordon the wrong way with a calm roll home from 12 yards. It was a relief for Celtic to get in front, but their job wasn’t done.

Schmeichel had to smother low as sub Musa Drammeh tried to meet a Blair Spittal cross following a mistake by Johnston. McCowan, however, ended the contest when he started and then finished a move with a shot Gordon couldn’t keep out having been teed-up by James Forrest.

Sub Adam Idah also thought he’d scored a first since making a permanent return from Norwich City, but a flag denied him. Nonetheless, the job was done for the hosts and it’s now onto Europe.

City of Engels

The newly-capped senior Belgian international was handed a first start and didn’t take long to show glimpses of his classy ability and genuine threat. He darted to the near-post inside three minutes to flash an Alistair Johnston cross wide and came even closer with a brilliant touch and strike which hammered against a post.

Celtic's Arne Engels
Celtic's Arne Engels -Credit:SNS Group

Engels was clattered by James Penrice, but remained undeterred. He took the responsibility of the penalty kick and was assured as he slotted home beyond Craig Gordon. The 21-year-old already looks the real deal and, after Rodgers said pre-match he wanted him to be a goalscoring midfielder, he quickly responded in the perfect way.

Naismith's team fighting

Hearts arrived into Glasgow’s East End on the back of six-straight defeats and had to find a way to get through the early stages. Naismith’s side strung five across the back attempting to block gaps with Beni Baningime back for his first game of the season helping from midfield.

Luck was ridden during the first-half, but Hearts also got out to win set-plays from which one landed them a penalty decision which was overturned.

Hearts defended with solidity as they scrapped to stay in the contest and they had some fleeting moments without possessing a sustained threat. In the end, Celtic just had too much, but it was better for Naismith’s team and they need to build upon it. Quickly.

Kyogo can't break Hearts

The Japanese striker has a wonderful record against Hearts since moving to Glasgow and really should have added to his tally early when played through one-on-one. He didn’t hit the target and, when he did the next time, Craig Gordon pushed his shot away.

Lack of space to get in behind and a log-jammed central area made it tough for the Asian to find freedom and it was one of those days when the link play didn’t flow either.

Mercifully for the champions, there were a couple of new boys in Engels and McCowan who had the cutting edge. Idah took Kyogo’s place and also had the ball in the net in stoppage-time. It was ruled out for offside, but Celtic’s new power from the bench is evident.