Tomoki Iwata lands double Celtic handball defence amid escalating VAR row as Dermot Gallagher catches stray

Neil Lennon has leapt to the defence of Tomoki Iwata after the Celtic star was penalised for handball in the defeat to Hearts - and doubled down on criticism of officials.

Following the full-time whistle in the 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle, Lennon joined Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers in expressing his concern over the major flashpoints at Tynecastle. Celtic were awarded a penalty early in the Scottish Premiership showdown when Yang was judged to have chopped down Alex Cochrane - before the South Korean international would see red following a VAR check for a high boot in a challenge with the Hearts defender.

Things would go from bad to worse for the Scottish champions when the ball struck Iwata in the arm. Alistair Johnston appeared to clash with his teammate as they challenged at the corner - leading to the ball hitting the midfielder on his arm. John Beaton in the VAR room would send referee Don Robertson to the monitor to review the flashpoint.

The spot-kick was awarded and Jorge Grant netted from the penalty spot. Asked if VAR was working in Scottish football while speaking at a Viaplay event, Lennon said: “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with VAR. I think it’s the people that make the decisions.

"The technology is there to aid the decision-makers. You have to say that all the decisions apart from the offside for Lawrence Shankland were wrong.

"I didn't think Celtic's was a penalty, and I certainly didn't think it was a red card. With Yang there is no real intent, he is just trying to flick the ball over Cochrane's head. I know people are saying he endangered the player with the high boot - but that certainly wasn't the case from Yang.

"And the penalty that Hearts got was beyond belief. Iwata has his eyes