Kris Boyd 'guarantees' Celtic penalty conceded on one condition as Joe Hart told he got lucky

Joe Hart was at the centre of a major penalty debate in the first game of the new Scottish Premiership season after claims he impeded Ross County's Simon Murray.

At 0-0 during the Premiership curtain raiser at Parkhead, the Hoops goalie received a backpass which he was forced to chest down, and the Staggies striker looked to nip and make him pay for a heavy touch. Murray then went tumbling down as Hart used his feet to try and control the ball but Nick Walsh didn't point to the spot, with David Turnbull soon going up the other end to convert a spot-kick.

Stiliyan Petrov conceded on Sky "I think it's a penalty, if he goes down" and Kris Boyd reckons the County star should not have been penalised for trying to remain standing. He said: "Why should he be punished for staying on his feet? There is no doubt he impedes him as he has to hurdle that leg. If he goes down there, I'll guarantee you it is given as a penalty kick."

James McFadden wasn't as convinced. He said: "I don't know (if there's contact). I am not sure there is a great deal of contact if any for Simon Murray. He thinks he can get on the end of the ball, and when he doesn't, then he claims for it. That is what striker's do.

Pat Bonner was speaking on Sportsound and the former Celtic goalie reckons Walsh has perhaps been kind to Hart. He admitted: "It was a difficult one for him as soon as that ball is played over the top, he needs to interpret whether it is a backpass or can he pick it up

"He obviously thought it was a passback. He had to do something with it and he was put under pressure, he could have given the penalty away and if he gives away the penalty, could he have been sent off? That was the other issue so probably, Nick Walsh has done him a favour not