Hearts head coach Steven Naismith felt there were inconsistencies in interpretation after his side twice came out on the wrong side of two VAR handball calls in a 2-0 defeat at Celtic.
Colin Steven reversed a first-half penalty award for Hearts after Lawrence Shankland’s header hit the arm of Liam Scales.
The referee gave a spot-kick for Celtic in the 52nd minute after again being called to the monitor to review an appeal for handball against James Penrice, who had blocked Nicolas Kuhn’s cross.
Arne Engels tucked home Celtic’s penalty and fellow deadline-day signing Luke McCowan curled home the second goal in the 89th minute to consign Hearts to a seventh consecutive defeat.
Naismith said: “I don’t think our penalty is a penalty in the guidelines in terms of the distance between the players. But I also don’t think theirs is a penalty.
“It hits his arm, but for me there’s nothing he can do. The motion is the one that we were shown in pre-season. So I disagree with that and that’s a big moment in the game.
“I just feel that both of them are in the same ballpark. I don’t think the distance between James and the ball is great enough that he can get his hand out the way.
“Everything that could go wrong or any mistake that’s made by us is getting punished at the moment, as simple as that.
“But I think there’s positives: the discipline, the way we worked and the way defensively we understood when to press, when not to press. And the chances that we ended up creating, there were a couple of good ones in there.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers felt the referee was ultimately right both times.
“When you look at it, I think the rules are pretty clear,” he said. “I think both were grappling, the ball comes down on to his (Scales’) sleeve, shoulder. So, I think in everyone’s book, that’s not a penalty.
“And then likewise, the law tells you if you’re out of what would be the silhouette of your body and your arms are up when it hits you, then that is a penalty. And that’s how it worked out.”
Rodgers was delighted with the first start of 21-year-old Belgium international Engels, the club’s record signing from Augsburg.
“He’s going to be a really good player,” he said. “He’s tall, he’s athletic, he can run, his touch is good, he’s aggressive, he presses, he counter-presses. And at 20 years of age, he’s only going to improve.
“And obviously, he gets the penalty, so he shows his courage to take it and score.
“There’s still work that we have to do with him in terms of his positioning. That’s only natural, how we play and where we get the eights to go. But that’s just rhythm, that’s just time, that’s just training.”
Rodgers was also delighted to see McCowan come off the bench to net in his second appearance since moving from Dundee.
“It was great,” he said. “For any player playing for their boyhood team to come on, he’s again still adapting a lot to the speed of the game, the tempo of the game, but he will never, ever let you down whether he starts in the game or comes into the game.
“For a young guy, Celtic supporter, it’s his absolute dream to be here. You see it, you sense it. I see it in him every single day. To then actually score at Celtic Park and get that feeling from the supporters…
“The supporters recognise it as well. So, brilliant for him and so happy for him.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
