Heart of Midlothian's Scottish Premiership matchup with Livingston is a minor issue amid the closing days of the transfer window and the club shattering a nearly two-decade-old transfer record.
With the Scottish FA and visa approval, as well as international clearance, needed after his seven-figure move from Santa Clara, it is uncertain if Ageu will be part of the team.
At kickoff, the transfer window will close in just over 50 hours, making squad selections even more interesting.
As they recover from a 3-3 draw at home against Motherwell and a League Cup loss to St Mirren, Derek McInnes' team want to end the break on a positive note.
Prior to the trip to West Lothian, McInnes stated, "We had a good meeting Monday, and we spoke about how we can be more effective, with the ball and without the ball, and that requires that complete commitment to what we're doing."
"We approach the passes we choose with determination, not a lack of it. Additionally, I thought that, aside from the final 30 minutes,
there were other instances during the game where we could have increased Motherwell's level of tension.
"We played and the game proceeded just as I had anticipated over the last 30 minutes. However, it seemed as though we were practically compelled to play in that manner, and I only wished we had been a little more like that right from the start."
Following the tie with the Steelmen, McInnes commended Blair Spittal and Claudio Braga for their contributions.
He was thrilled with the midfielder's readiness to play forward and make the passes he desires from his midfield in regards to the former.
In addition to scoring a double, Braga gave his head coach a lot more of the runs and movement he requested from him and Lawrence Shankland.
"I want us to be a club that plays with risk, and I don't think we have been playing with that element of risk and it's something I've spoken about at length to staff and the players," McInnes stated.
"We must be able to play fearlessly. Can we commit to pressing without thinking, should I, can I go here?
If we can accomplish something in one pass instead of two or three passes, and attempt to think first, can we move forward before we play back?
Sometimes we should play a little more cautiously, but if we're ready, we can play. I want us to play with risk as a team, and that's what we need to do.
" He went on to say: "It's okay if you try to change a play, play a longer pass, or turn a defence when it's on to play it and it doesn't come off.
"I would rather players make mistakes, try to do the right thing and what's expected of them, rather than make mistakes by not doing the right thing."
For the reasons listed above, I predict Alexandros Kyziridis, Spittal, and Braga to start for Livingston.
Even though Hearts will be playing away on Saturday, they will still have to perform similarly to the home team.
Not because they are the favourites, but also because almost 5,000 Hearts supporters will support them.
Alan Forrest, James Wilson, and Landry Kabore would be replaced by Spittal, Braga, and Kyziridis in the attacking lineup, which would add some flexibility and fluidity.
Despite his preference for the left, Kyziridis can undoubtedly pose a threat on the right.
While cutting on to his right to give him strong passing angles with his right foot, Spittal may play a narrow role off the left, creating space for Harry Milne.
With Spittal as the forward-thinking midfielder, it could effortlessly switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3. Braga can easily pull left when attacking.
With Beni Baningime, Cammy Devlin, and newcomers Oisin McEntee and Tomas Magnusson in the middle of the park, McInnes has a lot to think about.
As a natural right-back, Adam Forrester's return to the team could provide a fourth defensive option.
Despite this, Michael Steinwender gave a strong performance during the Motherwell draw revisit.
There is no doubt that the squad and starting lineup for this afternoon's match, which kicks off at 1:45 pm, will be intriguing.
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