Manager Martin O’Neill hopes McGeady will eventually replace prolific hitman Larsson and joked that Ronaldinho should beware with a piece of skill which baffled Andy Webster.

Many would disgrace themselves trying to copy the brilliant Barcelona and Brazilian star but McGeady had the audacity to put one of his magical moves into practice on his debut.

“It’s always good to get compliments,” he smiled with a hint of embarrassment. “I love watching Ronaldinho and I stole it off him.

“It’s a bit too much and it’s all very flattering but I have not done anything yet.”

Amazingly before even making his senior bow, he has had international managers clambering for his allegiance.

Despite being born in Glasgow, he has opted to play for Brian Kerr’s side because he played under him for the Under-18s.

Scotland boss Vogts and Tommy Burns have already tried and failed to persuade him to change his mind but the talented starlet, who also attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, has committed his future to the country of his grandparents.

“It’s not an issue at all,” he shrugged innocently. “Ireland came first to ask me and I have been with them ever since.

“I have been involved in the Under-18s and Under-19s and I wanted to stay on with them.

“I qualified because my grandparents were Irish but I don’t think my parents are too bothered that I chose Ireland.

“I think the rules have changed now. I am fairly happy and settled with Ireland.

“Brian Kerr actually took my team and he is now the first-team manager. I was with him for Under-18s last year.

“He had a couple of chats with me and said if I scored a couple of goals and take my chance in the first team that maybe I will step up in the future.”

De Vries’ second-half equaliser could not wake the youngster up from his dream of scoring on his debut.

McGeady was substituted before then when he was replaced by Craig Beattie but he admitted to be unnerved by the standing ovation and songs from the travelling fans and hug from O’Neill and John Robertson – because he is not used to playing in front of any crowds.

He recalled: “To score on your debut is something that everybody dreams of and I am no different.

“I was a little bit embarrassed because it was the first time I had done it - I just can’t explain why I was so embarrassed.”

Hearts manager Craig Levein praised his own striking gem De Vries who came off the bench to score the equaliser after injury problems.

The Dutch striker’s future is still up in the air and he would have single-handedly beat Celtic yesterday but for the heroics of another teenager - David Marshall.

“It was a toss of a coin,” said Levein. “Andy Kirk has been doing pretty well, Kevin McKenna has done well in attack as well.

“Mark needs to be 100% fit and needs to be training and playing every week and he has not been doing that.

“But he came off the bench to score for us and he might have won the match but young Marshall pulled out an unbelievable save in the last few minutes.

“We might have taken all three points.”

Hearts look set to remain at Tynecastle next season although chief executive Chris Robinson insisted that they will have to quit their home in the future.