St Johnstone lock in Macaulay Tait to fuel Premiership midfield push

Macaulay Tait, the 20‑year‑old former Hearts academy graduate, has signed a two‑year contract with St Johnstone, moving permanently to the Scottish Premiership side at McDiarmid Park after completing loan spells at Livingston. The deal secures his services through the 2025‑26 season and reflects the Saints' intent to strengthen their midfield.

The two‑year contract runs until the close of the 2025‑26 season, giving St Johnstone a stable midfield option as they chase continued Premiership survival. The signing underlines the Saints' strategy to add depth and energy to their squad.

Macaulay Tait progressed through the Hearts academy before breaking into the first team, where he made 16 appearances. Limited game time at Hearts prompted him to look for a club offering regular senior football.

Over the past two seasons he completed two loan spells at Livingston, accumulating 18 months of game time. He credits the experience at Livingston with advancing his career.

Speaking at McDiarmid Park, Tait said, "I'm really excited to get started and to meet all of the boys properly." He added that the club’s positive momentum in the top‑flight makes it the right place to continue his development.

The Saints aim to inject Tait’s energy into the squad, expecting his hard‑working attitude to complement their style. Managerial staff anticipate he will run for the team and provide quality service to the attackers.

Tait promised, "I'll be hard‑working and run for this team as much as I can. Hopefully I can bring quality on the ball and give the attacking players the service to do their stuff. I'm happy to do the dirty work." His willingness to perform less glamorous tasks aligns with the team’s need for balance and defensive support.

For Tait, the two‑year deal offers a platform to showcase his abilities and secure regular first‑team minutes in the Scottish Premiership. St Johnstone expect his arrival to bolster midfield depth and sustain their progress in the top division.