Ellis Simms not content with one 'special' Hearts moment as Everton loanee looks ahead to huge weekend

On Saturday the Hearts striker will take to the field in the Scottish Cup final looking to help his loan side defeat Rangers and earn his first piece of silverware. The Hampden showdown is, however, sandwiched between two potentially massive matches for patent club Everton, who are looking to avoid drop to the second tier of English football for the first time in 71 years.

Frank Lampard’s side host Crystal Palace on Thursday knowing a victory could be enough to secure their safety, depending on how Burnley get on against Aston Villa. If not, they go to the Emirates on Sunday for a final day meeting with an Arsenal side looking to make the Champions League.

Relegation for the Toffees might present Simms with the chance of playing regularly with his employers next season, though he’d obviously prefer if they remained among the elite, especially as he’s already proven himself capable with an EPL debut earlier this campaign.

“Winning the cup and then seeing Everton stay up would be brilliant, one hundred per cent,” he said. “It’s been a different season. The boys are working hard down there to make the fans happy and stay up, but for me the focus is all on playing in this final.

“I want to win and everyone else wants to win. We are hungry and are going to be ready for this game.”

Simms has already written his name in Hearts’ lore with the opening goal in the semi-final victory over Hibs in April. Regardless of the result in the final, derby victories against Hibs, especially those at the national stadium, live long in the memory. But the squad are refusing to be content with just the one historic result from this campaign.

“It’s a massive game ahead, we need to remain focused, train well and give ourselves the best chance to