Beni Baningime didn’t have to sell Hearts to new boy Ellis Simms.
But the Tynecastle ace reckons his old Everton mate is going to make defenders pay heavily during a lightning loan period in Gorgie.
Baningime’s return from a two-month absence as a sub against Celtic has offered a huge boost to boss Robbie Neilson.
Yet the efforts of Simms from the bench in the same agonising loss was just as big a bonus for the Hearts manager.
Negotiations were concluded for the striker to join-up just hours before the game and the 21-year-old was pitched straight into the squad.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Neilson elected to thrust Simms almost immediately into the action for the second period and the pay-off was instant.
The Toffees kid caused huge problems to the Celtic backline with his strength, hold-up play and running power.
Simms played a huge part in the recovery which almost rescued a point and that didn’t come as a shock to Baningime.
He had trained with his mate at first-team level at Finch Farm before coming north and knows Simms’ qualities.
The pair discussed the switch beforehand and, although he outlined the huge stage on offer at Hearts, Simms didn’t need any convincing.
Baningime laughed that his agent fee was busted but said: “We have got a great player, to be fair.
“I was speaking to him before he signed and telling him about the games, the fans, the league and how passionate everyone is. The gaffer convinced him and the club. How we are doing, that convinced him.
“He really wanted to join and I thought he was brilliant (against Celtic). Really good. It’s good to see him and very soon you will be seeing him scoring.
“He was in straight away. And in a game like that, as well. I think Everton must have created some players!
“But, seriously, I am really happy for him and I knew he was going to get goals, so now I’m just waiting for him to get his first.
“He’s a big player (for Everton U23s) and I think with me and him training with the first team, he looked really good. I think he’ll do well here and kick on to do what he wants to do.”
Asked about the biggest attribute Simms will bring to Hearts, he added: “His pace. He is so lightning to the point where you can give him a bad pass and he can make it into a good ball.
“That is something not many players have and, when he does get into positions, he can put them away.”
Simms’ signing is big for Neilson but the return of Baningime is just as massive.
The Congolese spent two months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and his appearance from the bench was a welcome sight.
Neilson spoke about the “control” his engine-room director can bring Hearts in games and the player said: “It was great to be back.
“I would have loved a win, of course. Or even a draw and I felt like in the second half we did enough to get that.
“But on a personal level I am really glad to be back. It was not an easy game but the second-half performance was good and I am happy with that.
“The crowd gave us a big lift. It almost seemed like we were waiting for that one goal or that one opportunity to come and, when it did come, we believed.
“I felt if we had scored again, we could have won but it happens. We were a little bit frustrated about that.”
No one was more frustrated than Liam Boyce. The striker’s 14th goal of the season gave Hearts a lifeline but joy turned to despair soon when he missed a golden opportunity to equalise from the spot.
Boyce sent Joe Hart the wrong way but got his strike just wrong as the effort hit a post.
Baningime stuck up for his team-mate and said: “Boycie got us a goal and, on another day, his penalty hits the post and it goes in then we are speaking about a different situation.
“That is football and you just try to take the positives and move on. He was gutted, of course.
“But it could have been anyone taking that penalty and he was the one who brought us back into the game. We know how much we value having him in the team.
“So I don’t think there was anything that he thought about it or the boys thought about it.”
