Celtic transfer target Elijah Just has given his clearest indication yet that he is set for a summer move. The 26-year-old was a standout at Motherwell last season and has been continually linked with a move to the Scottish Champions.
Just has impressed at the World Cup, scoring three goals for New Zealand, carrying on from his fine displays for Jens Berthel Askou’s Fir Park side. Celtic have been urged to make a move for the versatile Just and it appears that the player is open to moving on from Motherwell this summer.
Speaking to NZ Herald, the attacking midfielder revealed that the experience at the World Cup had whet his appetite to play regularly at a higher level, against top opponents.
“Hopefully my agent will be pretty busy.
“The World Cup has given me added belief and also motivation to keep pushing.
“There was a point in my career, one or two years ago, where I wasn’t quite sure what level I was going to be.
“I was a little bit stuck and maybe plateaued a little bit, so now you have a little bit of a new energy and new belief.
“I definitely want to test myself see how far I can go.
“It’s something that everybody wants to do. Coming to the World Cup gave me a taste of playing against top, top players. So we’ll see what happens.”
Celtic have been linked with Just and you would imagine that he is on the club’s radar, especially given his fine displays against the Hoops last season. Just made 43 appearances for Motherwell last season, scoring 7 goals and assisting 8 times, including a goal and assist each against Celtic.
Just can play on either side of attack as well as in a central attacking midfield role, bolstering Celtic’s attacking options for the new campaign. The figure would likely be north of £2m, given that he has a year remaining on his contract at Fir Park.
There has been some suggestion online that Just’s comments have been disrespectful to Motherwell but it is clear that the player wants to continue his development and see how high his ceiling is.
Celtic can offer training at a higher level and, potentially, competing in the UEFA Champions League. That will surely be a carrot to a player like Just. However, there will likely be a number of teams interested in the player.
3 Comments
Celtic will offer £1000, with another £500 if he scores 70 goals.
The lowballing champions of the world every window in the last 10 years
I am embarrassed to say im a Celtic fan
If you are embarrassed to call yourself a Celtic fan, stop being one.
We can all be rightfully pissed off at the board but to come out with that nonsense is a step too far.
He is know Celtic fan!! As no Celtic says such crap! Hun loser pure and simple ! Our board are a joke but our team own this set up facts!!treble after treble , double after double !! Loser orc! And it’s 5 going on whatever we want!! In a row ya daft orc