Steven Naismith told Celtic and Hearts penalty difference despite 'lucky boy' Liam Scales

Michael Stewart and Stephen Craigan have both had their say on Celtic vs Hearts and the penalty controversy which saw the Jambos denied a spot-kick at Parkhead yesterday.

Steven Naismith felt his side were due a spot-kick after Liam Scales handled the ball inside his own box in the first-half of the action. Referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot but VAR intervened and the decision was overturned.

In the second-half, Nicolas Kuhn fired a cross off the arm of James Penrice and a spot-kick was awarded which was slotted home by Arne Engels for his first goal for his new club. It was a pair of calls which infuriated Naismith but both Stewart and Craigan were sure they were correct decisions in the end even if Irishman Scales was "lucky" to avoid giving a penalty away.

READ MORE: Michael Stewart responds to Hearts pundit blast from Steven Naismith and asks 'what do you want?'

READ MORE: Steven Naismith questions Celtic penalty as comparison made with Hearts denial

“I can completely understand where the Hearts manager is coming from," Stewart told the BBC. "But the difference was that it probably hits Liam Scales far enough up the arm that it negates anything else. It hits his shoulder so it’s not a penalty regardless of all the rest of it. “Penrice, the comparison that Allan Preston was talking about with Connor Barron. Barron’s arm was really tight in against his chest. Penrice’s is not.

“Look, it’s a sore one and tough one from a Hearts perspective. It’s completely understandable you are going to try and draw comparisons. But the difference was that it hits Scales on the shoulder and it hits Penrice flush on the hand.”

Craigan added: "Initially we thought it was a penalty kick (to Hearts) but there was a lot of frustration around the length of time it has taken - I think - to get to the right call. I don't mind the length of time as long as the decision is spot on. It was so close and precise, it's boiled down to it hits the upper arm or t-shirt line of Liam Scales. He doesn't know that. He knows absolutely nothing about that.

"I think there is an SPFL badge or sponsor badge. It's a factual decision. Supporters will be thinking surely 'factual decisions, why does the referee have to go look at it?' Factual decisions for handballs only count for goals not for penalty kicks. That is why Colin Steven had to go have a look. That is the protocol. That is what he has to follow.

"I have to say Liam Scales is a lucky boy. I know defenders are talking about nowadays from cross balls that your hands have to be by your side. I think if you are spinning in the box and loose your marker and you put your hand out and it hits your forearm - it is going to be a penalty. His hand was up so I think he was a little bit lucky. But ultimately the right call was made, it is upper arm."