Livingston have confirmed the signing of Australian striker Tete Yengi from Ipswich Town and the 6ft 5in player arrived from Portman Road having completed a loan spell with Finnish club KuPS.

He appeared for them in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League and the 23-year-old has signed a deal for 2.5 years and he could play against Hearts on January 2 (15.00) if the paperwork is completed in time.

Livingston manager David Martindale (pictured) said: “Tete comes with great references and has done well from his time in Finland.”

Looking at the game, a total of 21 points separates Livingston from Hearts in the cinch Premiership and long-serving manager Martindale is desperate to kick-start a revival to lift the West Lothian side off the bottom of the table. 

They have 12 points from 20 fixtures so far having only picked up two points from their last five matches and lost 3-1 at Motherwell on Saturday leaving them six points adrift at the foot of the table. Second bottom Ross County have 18 points from 18 fixtures.

Hearts have 33 points from their 20 games and they drew 2-2 with Ross County at Tynecastle on Saturday after coming from 2-0 down to take a point. Previously the Jambos have won three games.

Steven Naismith’s men have scored 22 goals and let in 17 while Martindale’s strugglers have scored only 11 goals and let in 30, the worst total against in the division apart from Motherwell who have shipped 32.

No wonder then that they have recruited a striker to help them survive in the top league.

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