SIMMONS SET FOR THE TOP

Simmons impressed all with his display in Hearts' 4-0 win over Dutch side TOP Oss on Tuesday night, grabbing a goal and running the game from midfield.

Levein (pictured) managed to tie the teenager to a four-year contract with Hearts and believes that this will help the player to develop.

The Hearts boss said: "We had been talking for a wee while and I am very pleased Stephen has signed a new deal.  He is a young lad who deserves his chance. He has all the attributes a modern footballer needs to be a success.

"He is tall, can pass the ball, is quick, aggressive and is an athlete. On top of all that, he is a smashing footballer.  Stephen also has a touch of arrogance which sometimes needs slapped down but that is no bad thing.

"And if he can curb that over-arrogance, if you like, he will play for Scotland one day. I have no doubt about that."

It was the 2000-01 season that saw Simmons first get his chance, after impressing in the junior ranks at Tynecastle.

He went on to make three appearances off the bench and Levein was confident for the future: "He did himself no harm at all with his display on Tuesday night and it is encouraging to see young players who are able to take that chance when it comes along.

"He played well, scored a good goal and showed a lot of composure, particularly in the first half.  He did himself a power of good with regards to being involved in the first team this season."