Tete Yengi spun a defender, bore down on the Ross County goalkeeper and slammed the ball into the net before ripping off his shirt and running to celebrate with travelling fans, writing his name large in Livingston’s history.
The goal by the 6ft-plus striker six minutes into injury time in the second-leg of the Premiership play-offs in Dingwall on Monday, May 26, secured a come-from-behind, 4-2 win at the Global Energy Stadium, after the Lions were 2-0 down and looking out. It also meant promotion back to the elite of Scottish football.
David Martindale, Livingston’s manager, led the charge from the bench, arms outstretched, to celebrate on a night never to be forgotten by the West Lothian club and their success-hungry fans who made the long journey north to be in the 4,138 attendance.
Adelaide-born Yengi, who is of South Sudanese and English descent, recently signed a new deal to remain at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, but the former Newcastle Jets, VPS, Northampton Town and Finnish club KuPS player craves more pitch time.
The soft-spoken player joined the ambitious Lions on Saturday, December 31, 2023 from Ipswich Town then aged 23 and the pencil-slim striker hopes to be in the frame for a starting slot as Heart of Midlothian FC make the short journey from Tynecastle to the 10,000-capacity Almondvale-based arena on Saturday (15.00) in the William Hill Premiership.
More than 5,000 Jambos fans have already snapped up tickets for the eagerly-awaited clash and the William Hill Premiership is vital for both clubs. Livi return to their home pitch after a 3-0 defeat at defending champions Celtic. Hearts were 3-0 down to Motherwell last Saturday on their Gorgie pitch before roaring back to level at 3-3.
Yengi admitted to having watched clips of the Men in Maroon this season, and he confirmed he was happy to sign a new deal with The Lions after an in-depth chat with Martindale and the staff at the club as well as his agent.
The player said he has a good relationship with Martindale and Yengi added: “We understand each other, which is important, and he has shown a lot of faith in me. He believes in me so I want to pay that back to him and produce on the pitch.”
The 6ft 5in forward has been a bit part player so far in pre-season games and the Premiership so far, but he wants to change that and he said: “I think it was fair that I was not involved as much (in pre-season). We (the manager and player) both knew the plan and what was going to happen.
“I am here, I am happy. I have had a good pre-season. I feel good physically and I have had a few minutes in games and I am looking to get a start and kick-on from there. I am looking for more minutes.”
Yengi, whose 26-year-old brother, Kusini – he’s 6ft 2in, by the way – plays for Aberdeen, has enjoyed his spell at the West Lothian club, despite relegation, and he said it has been weird as every season new players have arrived.
It’s the same story this summer as the player and he said: “There has been a big change this season. I am meeting different people and I want to contribute more to the team, that is why I signed the extension.
“I feel that the club and the gaffer (Martindale) have shown a lot of faith in me. I feel my job is not done here and that is why I am here to stay.”
The player is “confident in himself” and he added: “I know the league. I am confident in the team we have and the way we are going to play this season. We create a lot of chances so when I get my chance I have to take them and help the team.”
Yengi believes the club have enjoyed “not a bad start” with a draw at Kilmarnock, after being 2-0 down, a win over Falkirk at Livingston and then a disappointing defeat on the road at Parkhead, and he added: “I believe in our squad this year and I believe in the way we are trying to play.”
ON THE BALL: Tete Yengi in the main stand at The House of the Set Fare Arena. Picture Nigel Duncan
