Celtic and Rangers transfer target goes all-in on two key objectives as he's flattered by rival interest
The Motherwell midfielder has been nominated for the Premiership’s PFA Player of the Year award
Elijah Just maintains his full focus is currently on matters at Motherwell and the summer’s World Cup - despite attracting transfer links from both Celtic and Rangers.
The attacking-midfielder has been an integral part of Jens Berthel Askou’s over-achieving Motherwell side, who still have four games left in their quest to nail down European football. After that, on a personal level, his attention will turn to Canada and America over the summer, as his New Zealand side gear up to face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in the World Cup group stage.
The 25-year old has bagged seven goals and seven assists for the Steelmen since signing in the summer from Danish side AC Horsens and like Motherwell teammate, Tawanda Maswanhise, has been a revelation at Fir Park this season. Both claret and amber stars have in turn been shortlisted for the Premiership Player of the Year award. While Motherwell may have a job on their hands holding onto their key men in the summer, Just insists for now that his full focus is on finishing the season on a high before the World Cup.
Just on Old Firm outside noise
Celtic and Rangers are both claimed to have had an interest in Just over the winter and are likely to continue their pursuit going into next season. The Kiwi is flattered that other clubs are calling, but also stated he’s got bigger things to worry about for the time being. He said: "Of course, you can't help but notice it (outside noise).
“And it's always nice when people are talking about you. But, for me personally, I'm just focused on the last four games and the World Cup. I've still got lots of football to play before I have to even think about my future. Obviously, we're still competing for a European spot. So that's also something exciting that's just around the corner.
“And I've told my agent that I don't want to hear about anything that goes on, anything about anyone that's got in contact with him, he hasn't told me. I've said to him, 'Just leave me to focus on the football'. It's obviously going well at the moment, so I don't want anything to mess that up."
New start works wonder for Motherwell star
Before his more to Lanarkshire, Just was a relative unknown to everyone except manager Askou, who he worked under at Horsens in Denmark. He made the European switch from his homeland back in 2019 when signing for fellow Danish lower league side Helsingor. Having spent last season on loan at St Polten in the Austrian second tier, Just is now happy to be able to show what he can do at the highest level and believes Motherwell’s style of play suits his game to a T. He continued: "When I signed for Motherwell I was at a stage in my career where I'd been mostly playing in the second leagues around Europe.
“I hadn't really achieved anything that I wanted to achieve when I left New Zealand. So when I had the opportunity to come, I knew that would be a step up and a huge test for me. And then I was lucky enough to be welcomed in with a good group of players. Obviously, I'd worked for the gaffer before, but the rest of the coaching staff also.It just helped me to be myself. The way we play has been pretty well suited to how I like to play. I think it's just been such a good team effort. I'm so pleased that I've been able to be a part of it and help the team out as best I could."
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