Derek McInnes branded new record signing Ageu a “Rolls Royce” and likened him to Tottenham’s James Maddison after the Brazilian midfielder came off the bench to help Hearts dig out a 2-1 victory at Livingston and move them top of the William Hill Premiership.
The 23-year-old, who joined from Portuguese club Santa Clara on Friday for a reported 2million Euros, was sent on for his debut midway through the second half and impressed as team-mate Alexandros Kyziridis popped up with a stoppage-time winner in front of around 6300 travelling fans.
McInnes, who remained coy on the prospect of signing German goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, is excited about what his newest recruit will bring to Tynecastle.
“I think he’s going to be brilliant for us,” said the Hearts boss. “When I first set eyes on him about four weeks ago – he just epitomises robustness – smoothness. I was just like ‘where’s his faults?’ I don’t think he’s got a fault as a midfielder, he can do everything.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I’m going to! When I watched his video clips for the first time the only player who I’ve ever signed who gave me something similar (in terms of excitement) was James Maddison (at Aberdeen in 2016/17).
“The club have done so much good work to get him here, we’ve signed him on wages that are Hearts wages. There’s a significant fee involved but I think the fee is well justified and from what we saw of him today, he’s a bit of a Rolls Royce in the way he moves. He’s just so natural and he’s going to do well for us, I’ve no doubt about that.”
Hearts trailed at half-time after Lewis Smith’s 26th-minute strike beat Scotland goalkeeper Zander Clark all too easily, but Kyziridis came off the bench to set up Claudio Braga for an equaliser in the 47th minute before the Greek winger curled in a brilliant late winner.
McInnes admitted the goal they lost was “simply not good enough” but felt his side were worthy of their win.
“We were far more competitive in the second half, played forward, asked the questions,” said McInnes. “Livingston were struggling to catch their breath and that is what I need us to be.
“With that crowd behind you, you always feel that another goal is coming. Wee Kyziridis gets the winner and it was no more than we deserved.”
Livi boss David Martindale was left to rue a third straight defeat, saying: “I feel, in the manner of the second goal, it’s a wee bit harsh to lose the game.
“Do I feel we’ve done enough to win the game? Probably not.
“I thought we could have been a wee bit braver in the second half. But sitting here getting a 90th-minute winner against you is a wee bit disappointing.”
