QUEEN OF THE SOUTH FC: SIMMONS OUT TO PROVE HIMSELF

Stephen Simmons, a summer signing for Queen of the South, insists he still has what it takes to play in the Scottish Premier League.

The 29 year old returned to the Scottish Division One side in the summer after his Raith Rovers contract expired. His new club meet Kilmarnock in the Scottish Communities cup this evening and Simmons is eager to prove his worth at the highest level.

"I guess I'm playing in the first division for a reason but a match like this is a chance for me to prove myself, and show what I can do against good opposition. You want to show you can match them, maybe better them. I'd like to think I could still make the step up to the SPL again if the chance arose."

Simmons started his career as a youngster at Celtic before joining Hearts in 1998 at the age of sixteen. From there he moved to Dunfermline before linking up with Queen of the South for the first time, on a short term deal in 2008. He then signed a permanent contract with Raith Rovers following a successful trial period.