Coventry City have won promotion back to the English top flight for the first time in 25 years
Former Hearts man Ellis Simms and current Hibs loanee Kai Andrews are set for Premier League football next season following Coventry City’s promotion from the Championship.
Frank Lampard’s side have dominated the second tier from the get-go this season and secured their promotion on Friday night as they salvaged a point against Blackburn Rovers. Coventry defender Bobby Thomas struck late with a header to cancel out Ryoya Morisha’s opener to put them mathematically out of sight of third placed Millwall. The last time the club were in the top flight was the 2000/01 season, when they were relegated under the stewardship of former Scotland boss, Gordon Strachan.
Simms has played an instrumental role in helping the Light Blues get over the line, scoring ten goals this season despite struggling for minutes at times. He previously enjoyed a successful loan spell at Hearts from Everton in 2022, where he scored seven goals in 21 appearances. The striker would leave Goodison Park for good a year later when making his permanent move to the Sky Blues, who’ve been knocking on the door of promotion since his arrival, reaching the play-offs in two of the last three years.
Hibees midfielder Andrews joined on loan from Coventry in January until the end of the season after also struggling for minutes in the West Midlands. The 19-year old started brightly at Hibs as he bagged the winner away to Celtic in February to secure their first win at Parkhead since 2010. With his parent side now back in the big time, it may have implications regarding his future. The Welshmen has previously stated he has ambitions to play in the Premier League.
Former Hearts star helps side to Premier League
Simms showed signs of promise at Tynecastle as a prolific, old-school number nine and is now taking these qualities with him to the highest level south of the border. Despite often being second choice striker to Coventry’s top scorer, Haji Wright, the 25-year old has still managed to reach double figures in the league’s goalscoring charts for only the second time in his career.
He is one of the few players in the young, up and coming Sky Blues squad who already has Premier League experience, having made 12 appearances for the Toffees in between various loan spells. His only goal was a dramatic late equaliser against Chelsea in a 2-2 stalemate at Stamford Bridge. Another man who knows one or two things about scoring at the Bridge is Simms’ current boss, Lampard, who also worked with him at Everton.
The Blues icon is looking forward to having another bite at the cherry at managing in the top flight. Following their promotion-securing stalemate, he told Sky Sports: "To go and get promotion automatically as a non-parachute [payment] team with three games to go... these boys have managed to achieve something special and unique. "It's such a good feeling that the boys have managed to get it over the line."
Hibs forward has dilemma on future
As Andrews moves a step closer to his Premier League dream, there are now question marks over his future. In his limited game time at Easter Road, he’s made an impact and at times shown maturity beyond his years. He also isn’t afraid of the big occasion, with two of his standout performances coming against Celtic and Rangers. In a matter of weeks, Andrews is set to return to his parent club, where he is under contract until 2028.
Over the past few seasons, promoted sides from the Championship have completely transformed their team in a bid to ensure Premier League survival. An example of this is Sunderland, who signed 15 new players in the summer after being promoted via the play-offs. This has proved successful for them in their first season back in the top flight as they’re currently eyeing a top 10 finish and are just three points away from securing safety with six games to go. If Coventry follow suit, it could mean another loan move is likely in the offing for Andrews, who has only made nine appearances for the club in the second tier since coming through the youth ranks.
Following a strong performance on his Hibs debut in February’s goalless draw with Rangers, Andrews outlined his ambitions to make his back into the Coventry side. He said: “This move gives me the chance to develop as a player. Coventry have had a brilliant start to the season. They can definitely get to the Premier League. That’s something I’m really looking forward to going back to. But consistent minutes is what I need. And the biggest thing is having a platform to play, express myself and show up.”
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