Steven Naismith insists Celtic star Kyogo 'knew' what he was doing for penalty award as he questions VAR process

Steven Naismith insists Kyogo knew what he was doing to win Celtic a penalty at Tynecastle, but his issue is with the VAR process rather than the Japanese hitman.

It made little difference as Hearts were swept aside by the Hoops at Tynecastle. They were already 2-0 down when Kyogo got his body between Alex Cochrane and a ball into the box before going over. Replays showed minimal contact, but ref Nick Walsh pointed to the spot.

The expectation from most was that Andrew Dallas would take another look and tell his on-field colleague that he'd got it wrong. But the VAR - on the first anniversary of the technology being introduced into Scottish football - didn't see anything wrong with the call and the decision stood. Reo Hatate stepped up, but there was some consolation for the Jambos as his effort came back off the post. However, Kyogo made it 3-0 himself soon after and the game was beyond Naismith's side, despite Lawrence Shankland pulling one back.

But the Tynecastle boss has questioned whether VAR is worthwhile if contentious calls are still being talked about every week. "It's a frustrating one," he told BBC Scotland. It has no impact on the game, which is probably the only positive, but for me it's not a penalty. 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. It's clearly not. Kyogo knows what he's doing. He's being intelligent.

"Watching it back, I think Alex knows what's happening and does well. If anything, Kyogo blocks him getting to the ball. Kyogo's not interested in the ball and that's how I saw it. I was expecting it to be overturned. But it's another week and another