Macaulay Tait has pledged his future to Hearts by signing a long-term contract.
The rising star has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal which will keep him at Tynecastle Park until 2028.
18-year-old Macaulay, a long-time standout for the club’s B Team, recently made the breakthrough into Steven Naismith’s first team with a debut in the Jambos’ 2-0 win at Celtic Park in December.
The Hearts Academy graduate followed that up with a late appearance against St Mirren, before a game-changing outing in the Jam Tarts’ thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Dundee last week.
An outing in the 2-0 victory against Aberdeen and another in last week’s 3-2 win at Dens Park took his total top team appearances to five and the Head Coach believes Hearts supporters can look forward to Macaulay pulling on the famous maroon jersey for many more years to come.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website, Steven said: “We started discussions with Macaulay about a new contract a while back so I’m pleased that’s it’s been sorted.
“He is a player I know well having worked closely with him in the B Team and U18s, and from my point of view there was never any doubt that he had the potential to make the step up.
“I think everybody has recently seen the impact that Macaulay has made when he’s come on to the pitch but it’s only the start of his journey with the first team, and we feel there is much more to come from him.
“The challenge to be consistently involved in the first team and meet the demands required is huge. It’s been a really promising start by Macaulay and we’ll give him all the help he needs to make an impact in a Hearts jersey.”
Sporting Director Joe Savage said: “It’s always really positive when a young player emerges from the Academy and wins the right to be involved in the first team, so this is an important piece of business and I’m delighted for Macaulay.
“It also demonstrates the pathway that exits between the Academy and the first team, and in Steven we have a manager who is not afraid to involve young players if he feels they are ready and can benefit the team.
“Steven has said publicly that new contracts are a reward and not just to be addressed when they expire. This is absolutely the case and we have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that our players feel rewarded, the club protects its interests and the fans get to cheer on their heroes for seasons to come.”
