Heart of Midlothian introduced five summer signings in a pre‑season friendly against Livingston on 9 July 2026, with Tom Renaud scoring the Jambos’ only goal in a 2‑1 defeat.

How did the new players perform?

Renaud, MJ Kamson‑Kamara, Josh McPake, Calvin Miller and Claudio Braga all started. Renaud’s 38th‑minute strike came after a parried shot from Miller, giving the new French midfielder a tidy debut. Braga led the line, while Milne wore the captain’s armband. The youngsters added fresh energy in the final 20 minutes, but the team never clicked as a unit.

What happened in the match?

Livingston opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Sam Culbert and Robbie Muirhead combined on the right and Cammy Palmer headed the ball across Ryan Fulton for Tyrese Fulton’s diving header. Heart of Midlothian pressed for an equaliser and forced early saves from goalkeeper Jerome Prior. After Renaud’s goal, Miller’s close‑range effort was saved, and Prior also denied an Adam Forster drive. The game ended 2‑1, marking Livingston’s first defeat of the pre‑season.

Why does the result matter for Heart of Midlothian?

The defeat highlighted the need for cohesion among the new arrivals. Vrancken rotated the squad heavily, fielding a completely different line‑up earlier that day to beat Kilmarnock 3‑1. While the friendly loss is not a league setback, it offers a clear picture of where the squad still lacks chemistry, especially in the final third where chances were scarce.

What’s next for the Jambos?

Vrancken will likely fine‑tune the starting eleven before the League One campaign begins in August. The young players introduced in the last 20 minutes—Elton Kabangu, among others—show promise, but they need more minutes to gel with the senior core. The next friendly against a Scottish Premiership side is scheduled for 15 July, providing another chance to test the new signings under pressure.