GREENOCK boxer John Simpson today revealed he’s setting his sights on winning a continental crown before he eventually brings the curtain down on his career.

In an illustrious professional career which has lasted almost 11 and half years so far, John has hit the heights of British, Commonwealth, Celtic and WBC international glory.

The Lonsdale belt holder has enjoyed incredible highs with his title wins and suffered some crushing lows through a series of controversial defeats.

But as 2014 gets under way, the 30-year-old is now dreaming of a crack at Europe, something which has so far evaded him.

John said: “I want to win a European belt before I retire.

“I definitely want a shot at a bigger title.

“That would put the cap on my career.” But before the respected super-featherweight champion can try to take on the European elite he has to negotiate a fight at Glasgow’s SECC at the beginning of March.

The clash is on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ return to the ring as he defends his world title for the fifth time.

John hopes his bout against an as-yet-unknown opponent will give him an opportunity to bounce back from an ill-fated attempt to gatecrash the lightweight division late last year.

That hastily-arranged bid ended with a defeat to Englishman Tommy Coyle in November and now John will return to more familiar territory - once he has fully shaken off a heavy cold and chest infection.

He said: “It won’t be easy going back to super-featherweight, especially after Christmas and New Year.

“I’ve also not been well for the last two weeks and have been stuck in my bed. I had a bad cold and a chest infection but that’s me over it now and I went back to training on Wednesday.

“That gives me seven and a half weeks to prepare for the fight, which should be long enough.

“I’m glad I’ve been given a place on the bill for Ricky’s fight like I was promised, that keeps the excitement going.

“Ricky’s going to be fighting Terence Crawford and it looks like a top night.

“There’s not an opponent or a title named for my fight just now but I’m hoping it will be something to ease me back in and then I can look to something bigger.

“Last year I only had two fights, so I want more now and hopefully this year is busier for me.”