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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Robbie Neilson in Ellis Simms transfer update as Hearts boss admits Tynecastle return unlikely

Robbie Neilson admits he can't see Hearts bringing back Ellis Simms for a second spell on loan.

The Everton hitman impressed during his time at Tynecastle as he helped the Jambos secure a third place finish in the Premiership and a spot in the Scottish Cup Final.

Simms scored seven goals in 21 appearances for Hearts including a cracker in the Edinburgh derby semi-final triumph over Hibs at Hampden.

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His form north of the border has alerted many English Championship sides with Neilson admitting a lot of clubs are watching the striker.

He told the Scarves Around the Funnel podcast: “I’d love to get him back and we’re trying to get him back, but if I’m being brutally honest, I don’t think we’ll get him back.

“There’s a lot of Championship teams in England that have contacted me asking about him. Obviously I’ve said he’s been terrible!

READ MORE: Hearts jetting to Spain for pre-season camp with friendly against Europa FC included

"There’s a lot of teams that have been watching him and want to take him, so that’s where we are at the moment.

“We bring these guys in, give them a platform and try to progress them. Then if they do well, they move on again.

“We’d love to do it but I just don’t see it happening.

“I know we have (European football) but what they have is finances. We just made a small contribution to his wage.

"If he goes to the Championship. Someone can pay a much larger contribution or all of his salary. That’s what I can see happening.”

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