How Celtic transfer lag 'could really cost them' as 'outstanding' World Cup star praised
The latest Celtic transfer news with former player Chris Sutton saying they should have moved quicker to sign a Scottish Premiership stand out.
Celtic have yet to being their summer transfer business with clubs across the country currently negotiating the early stages of the window.
The Scottish Champions secured head coach Martin O’Neill on a new contract earlier this month and are now working on tying down his backroom staff ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Once all these deals have been finalised supporters will be hoping they can get started on strengthening their first team squad for the season ahead.
They have already been linked with a number of players, including multiple stars currently playing at the FIFA World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. However, with one of those individuals earning significant praise after his nation’s debut match and former Hoops player believes his old club’s failure to secure a move sooner could prove a costly one.
Chris Sutton says Celtic's transfer lag ‘could really cost them’ as reported target lights up FIFA World Cup
Motherwell attacker Elijah Just carried on his terrific form for the Steelmen from last season into the World Cup finals with New Zealand. The 26-year-old scored twice as New Zealand drew 2-2 with Iraq in their Group G clash.
Just has been linked with a summer move to Celtic and his performance on football’s grandest stage certainly shows why the Scottish champions would be keen to try and poach him from their North Lanarkshire neighbours. However, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes the fact they have not moved sooner to secure his services could prove a costly error.
He wrote on X: “Celtic should’ve snapped Elijah Just up before now… now it could really cost them… tremendous performance from him.”
New Zealand and Just will be back in action on Monday as they face Egypt in their second of three Group Stage matches. A win in that match for the All Whites would almost guarantee their progression to the knockout stages.
Their final Group Stage encounter will be against Belgium on Saturday, June 27. With all four teams having draw their opening matches against each other it is very much all to play for in the coming week.
Motherwell attacker attracts Celtic transfer interest after impressive SPFL debut season
Motherwell signed Just from Danish club AC Horsens last summer and the New Zealand international went on to have a fantastic debut season in Scotland. The winger scored seven goals for the Steelmen and was one of five Fir Park stars named in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Year.
HE began his senior career in his native New Zealand back in 2016 before moving to Denmark with second division side Helsingør in 2019. He moved to Horsens two seasons later and also went on to have a brief loan spell at Austrian 2. Liga club SKN St. Pölten.
During his time at Horsens he played under his future Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou who would bring him to Scotland. The Dane also had a superb first season in Scotland and was poached by French club Toulouse to become their head coach this summer.