Alloa ace Stephen Simmons loved every minute playing at Hearts alongside their new Head Coach Robbie Neilson.

But the Wasps star admits he would love nothing more than to put an end to their unbeaten start to the SPFL Championship this weekend.

The veteran midfielder played at Tynecastle for the bulk of his career and will always be thankful to them for his start in the game but hopes he can help the Wasps to make it three games unbeaten against the league’s big trio so far this season.

Simmons told Advertiser Sport, “I have a lot of fond memories of my time at Hearts because I was there from leaving school right up until 2006 when I left.

“They are a great club to play for and it was brilliant times for me but I always like playing against my old clubs and Saturday will be no different.

“Robbie is a good pal as well so it is great to see him doing really well but I still hope we can put a halt to that on Saturday!

“I think we just have to do the same things we have been doing if we are to win the game. Sometimes you just can’t beat a bit of hard work.

“We will just look to hang in and make life difficult for them then take any chances we get when they come along.

“We approach every game the same but these games are definitely ones to look forward to and so hopefully we can surprise another big club.” Simmons was bemused as to why Falkirk’s David McCracken didn’t see red for a last-man challenge on Graeme Holmes that resulted in a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Falkirk but the 31-year-old says the decision sums up their luck so far this season.

He said, “The result last weekend is the story of our season so far because we are just not getting the rub of the green. We get a penalty for Holmes getting pulled down on the penalty spot just as he’s about to score but their defender doesn’t get sent off. That would have changed the game for us after we score the penalty but it wasn’t to be.

“Overall, I thought we played well even with the eleven versus eleven but we know our luck will turn for us so we will just keep working hard.

“It was hard to take for us because even after the penalty incident we are on top in the game, created a few half chances then they go and score a cracker.” The former Hearts and Dunfermline midfielder sees no need for the Black and Gold faithful to panic after they slipped into the relegation playoff spot for the first time this season.

Instead, they are focused on making life miserable for the Edinburgh giants in their visit to the Indodrill Stadium.

Simmons added, “It is frustrating to see our league position because we have played well in a lot of the games but at least we know we are competing.

“That is just how football goes sometimes and we won’t feel sorry for ourselves but it is only us who can change it so we must look to do that on Saturday.

“I don’t think they will be looking forward to coming to Alloa or to playing on our pitch but that’s fine with us and hopefully we can make it an uncomfortable afternoon for them. Every game is difficult for us.”