Livingston deal for Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait – including a key clause.
David Martindale adds Tynecastle kid to his Premiership squad for the season 2025/26.
Livingston have agreed to sign Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait on loan again for the upcoming season. In a deal that is sure to excite West Lothian supporters, 19-year-old Tait will return to the club he helped win Premiership promotion with last season. He will not travel to Spain for Hearts’ pre-season training camp on Saturday, having signed a loan arrangement.
Instead, he is scheduled to take Livingston’s trip to the Netherlands on Sunday. Two days ago, the Edinburgh News revealed David Martindale’s interest in re-signing Tait. The Livingston manager wants to sign Tait permanently if feasible, but Hearts does not want to lose him and will only allow a loan at this time.
The season-long agreement contains a break option in January, which allows the Edinburgh club to recall the player if necessary. Tait signed a new four-year contract with Tynecastle Park last year and is committed to the club until 2028.
is a major fan, having brought the teenager on loan in January. Tait, a Riccarton youth academy alumnus, appeared 23 times for Livi last season and played an important role in their Scottish Championship success. His influence enabled them to successfully negotiate the play-offs and gain promotion back to the Premiership on the first try.
Derek McInnes, the new Hearts head coach, is still evaluating the first-team squad following his hiring last month. Tait faces stiff competition for his preferred midfield position from experienced players Beni Baningime, Cammy Devlin, Calem Nieuwenhof, Aidan Denholm, and new acquisition Oisin McEntee.
The kid has seized the opportunity to make a move that should result in him playing regular Premiership games in the coming months. Hearts announced in a statement that Macaulay Tait has completed a season-long loan move to Livingston.
The midfielder returns to West Lothian, subject to Scottish FA approval, after a successful time there in the second half of the previous season.“He featured 23 times for the Lions, helping them to a second-placed Championship finish.
Livingston would go on to play-off success, with Macaulay playing in both the semi-final and final victories, which saw Livi secure promotion to this season’s Premiership. Macaulay will now continue his development at the Home of the Set Fare Arena and everyone at Hearts wishes him the best of luck for the season ahead.”
Tait has impressed McInnes, who sees him as a possible first-team player in the future. The transfer to Livingston allows the kid to showcase his potential in Scotland’s top division football.
After joining the club in January, Tait explained why Hearts allowed him to move there rather than play in the B squad. “I think for them, it was just getting men’s football, so they were quite happy for me to get playing football,” according to him. “In a B team, you’re definitely in a league, but you can’t do anything with it. But here, you’re battling for a league and cups, which means a lot to everyone.”
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