SIMMS REFUSES TO MOPE AS HE STAKES CLAIM WITH KEY STRIKE
ELLIS SIMMS knows the best way to get back into Robbie Neilson’s team is to score not sulk.
Left out of the XI that took the field in Paisley, the on-loan Everton striker staked his claim by grabbing the game’s first goal within seven minutes of his arrival as a substitute.
He said: ‘As a player you want to start every game, especially coming here on loan.
‘I didn’t start today, but I didn’t sulk. I knew that there would be a chance for me. I made sure that I was ready to impact the game.’
Saints boss Stephen Robinson claimed Simms had fouled his goalkeeper Jak Alnwick at the second goal but the striker was adamant referee Greg Aitken was right to allow Cammy Devlin’s finish on the rebound to stand.
‘The ball was played in behind quick and I went to try and finish it,’ he explained. ‘Keepers are there to make saves, be brave.
‘I got there first and he’s made a good save to smother it. But he didn’t get hold of it and the ball came back out. Obviously, they’re going to say it was a foul but there was no malice in it.’
The win was Hearts’ first in five Premiership attempts and, with the teams also due to meet in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup next month, manager Neilson was doubly pleased.
And, in complete contrast to his opposite number, he praised the referee for getting all the big calls right — including an early red card for Saints’ Connor Ronan.
He said: ‘The ref got the key decisions right. We’ve seen the tackle and it’s a stonewall red.
‘For our second, Simms has to go for it. I don’t see an issue with that.’