Beni Baningime reveals the Everton connection and attributes to make Ellis Simms a hit at Hearts

An influential voice in helping Hearts land Ellis Simms, midfielder Beni Baningime said he was not surprised to see the Gorgie newcomer hit the ground running and he doesn’t expect him to waste too much time opening his goal account either.

The Everton loan signing, who will see out the remainder of the campaign with the capital club, made an impressive debut hours after completing his switch, and his former Goodison club-mate claims there is even more to come from the 21-year-old.

“Yeah, he’s a big player. We were training together with the [Everton] first team, and he looked really good. I think he’ll do well here and kick on to whatever he wants to do after that.”

Confident that Simms can transition effortlessly into the Scottish game and offer Hearts extra pace and punch up front as they work to tie up third place and a shot at European football next term, Baningime was proactive in selling him on the move north.

“I did a little bit of agent work, but the gaffer convinced him on the club itself. How we’re doing right now, I think that convinced him as well.

“We’ve got a great player. I was speaking to him, telling him about the games, the fans, the league and just how passionate everyone is and he really wanted to join.”

He did, just in time to make the squad for the midweek tussle with Celtic, and, “I thought he was brilliant, soon you’ll see him scoring hopefully.”

Like Baningime, who swapped Liverpool for Edinburgh in the summer, Simms made a bright first impression and if he can maintain that standard, the way the Congolese midfielder has, few would complain.

“Straight away he was ready. I think it must be something about Everton. They must be creating good players! I knew he was going to get going, so now I’m