Scottish Premiership: Celtic break Hearts but Aberdeen keep pace at top

New signings Arne Engels and Luke McCowan scored their first goals for Celtic in a 2-0 victory over Hearts in a Premiership match influenced by VAR.

Engels, Celtic's most expensive transfer ever, made his first start in the match and scored a penalty in the 52nd minute. The referee, Colin Steven, awarded the penalty for a handball after being alerted by video assistant Alan Muir when Nicolas Kuhn's cross hit James Penrice. Earlier in the game, Steven had initially given a penalty for a handball when Lawrence Shankland's header hit Liam Scales' arm at close range, but he changed his mind after reviewing the video.

Hearts played strongly throughout the match, but things took a turn in the 89th minute when McCowan received a pass from James Forrest from 20 yards away. He took a shot that Craig Gordon could only deflect off the post, leading to a goal.

Pape Habib Guèye scored two goals for second-place Aberdeen, leading them to a 2-1 victory over a tough Motherwell team and keeping their perfect record at Pittodrie intact. Guèye got things started just before the half-hour mark, picking up a pass from Jack MacKenzie in his own half and finishing calmly into the bottom corner after a swift counterattack. The Senegalese striker secured his second goal ten minutes from the end, heading in a rebound after Aberdeen had been putting pressure on their opponents. Although Motherwell managed to score through Moses Ebiye, the Dons held firm to secure all three points.

Ross County secured their first victory of the season by beating Dundee 2-0 in Dingwall. New recruit Akil Wright scored with a header to give the home team an early advantage, setting them on course for their first league win. Just before halftime, Jordan White extended the Staggies' lead by converting a penalty, awarded after he was fouled in the box by Ethan Ingram.

Ten-man Kilmarnock staged a comeback from a first-half deficit to secure a 2-2 draw with St Mirren in a heated match in Paisley. St Mirren took the lead in the seventh minute when Toyosi Olusanya scored with a header from an excellent delivery by Jaden Brown. However, Marley Watkins quickly leveled the score just four minutes later, finding the bottom corner of the net. The home team regained the lead when Mark O’Hara, a former Kilmarnock player, converted a penalty after Joe Wright was penalized for a handball in the area. Just before half-time, Kilmarnock was down to ten players as Wright received a red card for violent conduct. In the 71st minute, St Mirren’s Jonah Ayunga inadvertently scored an own goal, allowing Kilmarnock to clinch a point and move out of last place.

Mykola Kuharevich and substitute Martin Boyle helped David Gray secure his first victory as permanent manager of Hibernian in the Premiership with a 2-0 triumph over St Johnstone. Kuharevich, on loan from Swansea, scored the opening goal just before halftime at Easter Road, converting Marvin Ekpiteta's header from a short distance to net his first goal. Boyle later extended Hibs' lead to 2-0 in the second half, striking Chris Cadden’s pass into the bottom corner. Meanwhile, St Johnstone's Benjamin Kimpioka received a red card in the closing moments of the match.

John Bennett has resigned as chairman of Rangers due to "health issues," with former director John Gilligan stepping in as interim chairman. Bennett, who is 61, was promoted from vice-chairman last March to succeed Douglas Park. However, he faced criticism when the renovation of the Copland Stand at Ibrox was delayed, forcing the team to play their home games at Hampden Park at the beginning of the season.

The Rangers management is facing increased backlash following a disappointing start to the season. Their latest setback saw them lose 3-0 to their Old Firm rivals, Celtic, at Parkhead just before the international break. Next up, the team will take on Dundee United at Tannadice this Sunday.