Dermot Gallagher sees Celtic penalty verdict rejected by pundit who claims clever Kyogo 'bought' spot kick

Leading former referee Dermot Gallagher could see no issue with the Celtic's penalty award against Hearts but it was a different story for one of his on-air sparring partners.

Kyogo won a spot kick at the start of the second half against Hearts after colliding with Alex Cochrane. The Jambos defender pleaded his case to referee Nick Walsh but the man in the middle was unmoved and VAR didn't overturn the decision. Reo Hatate missed with the score at 2-0 with the champions going on to romp to a 4-1 triumph in Gorgie.

Gallagher reckons the call from Walsh was correct but Stephen Warnock was keen to offer the counter argument and he believes Celtic talisman Kyogo "bought" his side a spot kick. Speaking on his Ref Watch for Sky Sports, Gallagher said: "Kyogo is clever, he puts himself between the ball and Cochrane. Cocharane gets a hold of him and the referee gives a penalty."

But the former Liverpool man wasn't having it. Warnock said: "I didn't think it was a penalty, I think he bought it completely, it's just the centre forward trying to be clever but watch the defender, he doesn't really leave too much in there. Not for me."

Hearts boss Naismith was left unimpressed by the call as he cast doubt over the award. He said: "It's one where the referee's made a call but we're meant to be eradicating these decisions throughout the game. but every week, we're still talking about whether it's a penalty or it isn't."