Everton forward Ellis Simms has revealed he is open to the possibility of a return to Heart of Midlothian once his loan ends at the end of the season.
Simms joined the Jambos during the January transfer window, completing a deal until the end of the season. He has so far scored four goals in 11 games for Robbie Neilson's side.
The forward had found himself around the Blues first-team on multiple occasions this season after impressing on loan at Blackpool last season. Simms spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan with the Seasiders, where he scored 10 goals in 24 appearances to help Neil Critchley's side to promotion to the Championship from League One.
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Hearts are currently heading towards a third place finish and European football next season. And speaking on what comes next, Simms refused to rule out playing for Hearts next season.
"I’ve loved every minute of it," he told the Daily Record. "Coming on loan is about playing and that’s what I’ve managed. I’ve four goals from 11 games and hopefully there’s more to come. It’s about developing as a player and this is perfect."
Before Simms continued: "I'm ambitious like any footballer but at the minute I’m just focusing on this season. In football things happen so quickly.
“It’s something to consider once the season is finished. We have a huge month ahead at Hearts. If we finish third and do well in the cup then there’s Europe as a reward which would be massive for Hearts.
"The lads are desperate to play in Europe. That’s what every footballer dreams of. It would be a great achievement especially after the club were in the Championship only a year ago."
The forward, who joined the Blues aged 16 having previously spent time at Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, had previously impressed at under-18 and under-23 level for the club.
That impressive form led to the 21-year-old, who signed a new deal with the club back in November, being handed his Premier League debut by Rafa Benitez in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in December.
"Making my Everton debut in December was special even though I was thrown in at the last minute,” Simms said on his first-team vow. "I travelled down with the squad and I knew we had a few injuries and covid absentees.
"But a few hours before the game another player tested positive. We barely had any attackers and when the manager read the team out in the dressing room there I was. I’d been waiting for that moment for a long time and I was absolutely thrilled. I just tried to embrace the moment.
"It was a difficult game. I was up against Rudiger, Azpilicueta, and Thiago Silva. They have some daft number of international appearances between them. So it was always going to be tough. But I did okay and we got a good result, 1-1. It was a great feeling."
