Kris Boyd turns Celtic cheerleader over penalty as Rangers hero leaves Stiliyan Petrov smirking in Hearts one-two punch

Celtic found a surprise ally in Rangers hero Kris Boyd over their penalty award against Hearts - before he stuck the boot into the struggling Jambos.

It was exactly a year ago that VAR was first introduced to Scottish Premiership and the controversy around the technology emerged once again at Tynecastle despite Brendan Rodgers running out comfortable 4-1 winners over Steven Naismith's men. Celtic were awarded a penalty seconds into the second half as Kyogo went under pressure from Alex Cochrane's challenge.

Reo Hatate would step up to take the spot kick but couldn't find the net as he struck Zander Clark's post from 12-yards out. However, the talking point wouldn't go away at full-time with former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan insisting it was the wrong call from referee Nick Walsh - and that he should have been told to review the decision by the VAR team.

McGowan told Sky Sports “It’s shocking stuff from Hearts first and foremost, but I can’t believe it’s given as a penalty. Kris Boyd thinks it’s a penalty which probably sums up everything you need to know about it."

A smirking Boyd then chimed in “If I’m saying it’s a penalty for Celtic you know it’s a penalty.” The Australian went on: I think he’s looking for it. I don’t think there’s much Cochrane can do about it and a little bit of justice that he misses it."

Celtic legend Stiliyan Petrov also felt it should have been a spot kick. He said: "It was really clever play from Kyogo getting his body across the opposition player. It's just intelligent play and quick thinking; I think it's the right call."

Boyd added: "It's just good striker play." However, he couldn't resist a dig at the Jambos - taking a pot shot at the supporters and the performance. The former Ibrox