Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken is excited about the sense of "control" Brazilian midfielder Ageu can bring to Hearts after the injury-hit record signing made his first appearance of the season.

Coming on against Kilmarnock, the 24-year-old made his first appearance since February, and helped his side seize the upper hand as Stephen Kingsley fired home an 86th-minute equaliser to cancel out Jamie McCart's first-half own goal.

Hearts' midfield stocks have taken a hit with injuries to first-choice picks Blair Spittal and Tom Renaud, as well as Oisin McEntee.

"I'm happy for him, of course, that he gets the minutes again, and I'm happy that when Eddie (Ageu) came in, he could bring something there - we controlled the game, we dominated the game (after he came on)," said the Hearts boss.

"I'm also happy for us that we have an extra player there, because we're pretty thin in players there.

"I think he did well, without being outstanding maybe but he was good in the game. He was decent on the ball and I think he can only get better."

While Hearts have enjoyed a decent start under Vrancken, they head into the prolonged international break on the back of two disappointing results - a loss to Falkirk and a draw with Kilmarnock.

"When you see the second half, I don't think we 'need' the break, because the energy was still there, the push was still there," said the Belgian head coach. "Also the subs that came in brought extra energy, so I'm happy to see that.