Unlucky Simmons' UEFA heartbreak

HEARTS BY PAUL KIDDIE

STEPHEN SIMMONS had been desperate to embark on another European adventure for Hearts this season - but instead will be cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines when the Jambos launch their UEFA Cup campaign against Braga at Murrayfield on Thursday.

Boss Craig Levein had been expecting big things from the 22-year-old but the midfielder’s season got off to the worst possible start when he broke his foot in the East of Scotland Shield just days before the curtain went up on the SPL campaign.

Entering into his final 12 months of a four-year contract, Simmons knew as soon as he felt the full force of Jay Shields’ crunching tackle after five minutes of last month’s Tynecastle clash that his season had taken a turn for the worse.

With his plaster having been removed, the Hearts star has started his rehabilitation, although he is unlikely to play again until next month at the earliest.

It all means he will therefore have to suffer on the sidelines as the Gorgie outfit enters into one of its most crucial periods, Rangers’ visit to the Capital tomorrow the first of six games before the end of September - including the UEFA Cup showdown with Braga.

Simmons came on at half-time of last season’s second leg clash with Bordeaux at Tynecastle, the French cracks edging through 2-1 on aggregate after being shocked by Mark de Vries’ goal in the home leg.

Next week, though, he will have to settle for being a fan as his team-mates launch their bid to reach the lucrative group stages of the UEFA Cup.

"I knew there was something wrong as soon as I was tackled," he said.

"I couldn’t put any weight on my foot and had to be helped off the park.

"It could have been a worse break I suppose but I couldn’t believe it happened when it did, just a few days before the start of the season.

"This couldn’t have happened at a worse time for me.

"I was getting my confidence back and playing some decent football but I suppose these things happen and I just have to get on with it."

Initial concerns after the incident with Shields was that Simmons had suffered a bad fracture which could have seen him out of action until late in the year.

The news was good, though, in that it was just a small bone in his foot which was broken.

Now he just wants to get back into action as soon as possible, although club physio Alan Rae will ensure he doesn’t return too early for his own good.

"I could have been out for longer but I now have to get back fit and fight for my place again," said Simmons.

"Looking back who knows what may have happened, I may even have started as a first choice this season.

"I’ll just have to get fit again and wait for my chance.

"The doctor has said not to rush back so I’ll leave it in the hands of Alan Rae and see how we get on. He knows better than anybody what to do."

Simmons will be at Tynecastle tomorrow as the Jambos look to get back to winning ways after the disappointing defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park two weeks ago.

"I didn’t even go to any of the first few games as I wasn’t able to drive," he said.

"But the lads have done well and although the Motherwell game was a setback, I am confident they will bounce back."

Taken from the Scotsman