30 Apr 2026 15:01 BST |
5 min read
Motherwell star Elijah Just has admitted that while he is flattered by interest from Celtic and Rangers ahead of the upcoming summer window, he isn’t currently thinking about a transfer.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at Fir Park, following his arrival from AC Horsens last July, and he has emerged as a top transfer target for the Old Firm rivals this summer.
Just has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 30 league appearances this season and he is one of four players on the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year shortlist for 2025-26, alongside Motherwell team-mate Tawanda Maswanhise and Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland.
Celtic and Rangers are both understood to be closely tracking his progress at Motherwell and they are widely expected to go head-to-head for his signature when the 2026 summer transfer window opens in June.
Just’s current contract at Motherwell is due to expire next summer, after only signing a two-year deal upon his arrival, and the club could therefore be tempted into a sale in order to avoid losing him on Bosman deal in 2027.
However, the New Zealand international, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger on either flank, insists he remains focused on performing for Motherwell.
Rightful recognition and a chance to win the big prize 🏆
Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just have been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) April 27, 2026
Elijah Just responds to transfer interest from Celtic and Rangers
Speaking to The Daily Record about rumoured interest from Celtic and Rangers, Just admitted: “Of course, you can’t help but notice it. And it’s always nice when people are talking about you. But, for me personally, I’m just focused on the last four games, 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.”
Just worked with Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou in Denmark and he has shone under the tutelage of the 43-year-old this term.
“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,” he added.
“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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