Celtic had two new signings to thank as they continued their 100% start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory over struggling Hearts at Celtic Park this afternoon.
Despite dominating large parts of the game, it took a 52nd minute penalty from £11million new boy Arne Engels to open the scoring, with the Belgian tapping home from 12-yards on his first start for the Hoops, before fellow new boy Luke McCowan fired home on the stroke of full time.
The new signing was Brendan Rodgers’ only change from the 3-0 win over Rangers, while Hearts boss Steven Naismith rang the changes for visitors, welcoming back Beni Baningime, Kye Rowles and Gerald Taylor to his starting XI in Glasgow.
Despite constant pressure from the Hoops, it was Hearts that were almost offered a shock chance to take the lead when they thought they had been awarded a penalty halfway through the first-half, when Colin Steven pointed to the spot after an alleged handball from Liam Scales, though VAR would later rule it out.
The home side would get a penalty of their own minutes into the second period though, when Steven was called to the monitor once again - this time awarding the spot-kick - and man of the moment Engels made no mistake from 12 yards out. A a lovely curled effort from McCowan doubled the lead and secured the Hoops place at the top of the Scottish Premiership, where they sit level on points with Aberdeen but +7 ahead on goal difference - and, crucially, eight points ahead of Rangers.
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9. CB: Stephen Kingsley (Hearts) - 6
Was unable to keep Celtic at bay in the second half. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group

10. RWB: Gerald Taylor (Hearts) - 6
Offered little going forward outside of his long throw, but used his pace well to keep up with Maeda. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group

11. CM: Callum McGregor (Celtic) - 7
Constantly probing and available for a pass. The skipper didn't get on the scoresheet this week but was his usual dependable self. | SNS Group

12. LWB: James Penrice (Hearts) - 6
Up against a really tricky customer in Kuhn and did a solid enough job for large spells of the game. Perhaps a little lucky not to see red for a risky tackle just before half-time, however. | SNS Group

