Celtic Lead Rangers in Race for Motherwell Star Elijah Just Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Celtic are reportedly leading the race to sign Motherwell winger Elijah Just ahead of their Glasgow arch-rivals Rangers for the upcoming summer transfer window.
• The 26-year-old New Zealand international has enjoyed a standout debut season at Fir Park, recording seven goals and seven assists across 39 appearances in all competitions.
• Just’s stellar performances have earned him a nomination for the prestigious PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award.
• Former Premier League recruitment chief Mick Brown stated that Just is the ideal profile for Celtic, noting that domestic signings mitigate the risk of players failing to adapt to the Scottish Premiership.
• The winger has explicitly instructed his representative to withhold all transfer communications until after his domestic and upcoming FIFA World Cup commitments are completed.
• Celtic are bracing for an extensive summer squad overhaul under interim manager Martin O’Neill, who acknowledged the urgent necessity of streamlining a “top-heavy” first-team roster.

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) May 20, 2026.The intense tug-of-war between Scotland’s two footballing heavyweights comes immediately after a highly dramatic domestic campaign, where Celtic were forced to battle from behind to dramatically clinch the league title on the final day against Heart of Midlothian. Eager to avoid a similarly exhausting title race next season, the Parkhead board has prioritised the acquisition of proven domestic talent, positioning the prolific New Zealand international at the absolute top of their summer wishlist.

How Did Celtic Gain the Advantage in the Old Firm Race for the Motherwell Star?

As reported by media outlets tracking the developing transfer market, Celtic have successfully outmanoeuvred Rangers in establishing baseline contact, leveraging their status as guaranteed league champions and the financial allure of prospective European football.

According to an analytical update published by Football Insider, the Parkhead hierarchy views the 26-year-old winger as an efficient, low-risk solution to bring consistent attacking spark to their flanks.

While Rangers remain deeply interested in securing the player to revitalize their own front line under their current technical framework, football market insiders indicate that the Bhoys hold a distinct structural advantage in negotiations.

What Do Football Experts Say About Elijah Just’s Suitability for Celtic’s System?

The logistical sense behind Celtic pursuing the Motherwell standout has received strong backing from experienced talent evaluators within British football.

As reported by an investigative football correspondent for Football Insider, former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown stated that:

“Elijah Just is exactly the type of player Celtic are looking at. It’s difficult for clubs in Scotland to find players, it’s not like in the Premier League where you can go and get anybody from anywhere with the money involved. Celtic need to use their budget wisely, and signing the best players in Scotland is the most reliable way to do that, because you know how they perform in the league. A lot of the time, players can struggle to get to grips with the style of play, so when somebody like Just comes along and shows he can perform, it puts him on their radar.”

What Has Elijah Just Said Regarding the Ongoing Old Firm Transfer Speculation?

Despite the media storm swirling around his professional future, the player himself has taken definitive measures to remain insulated from the external noise, focusing entirely on his current sporting responsibilities.

As reported by sports writer Josh McCafferty of The Celtic Way, Elijah Just addressed the direct links to Parkhead by stating:

“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.”

Just further explained his strict boundary with his representation regarding external enquiries from Glasgow. As reported by Ryan McDonald of the Daily Record, Elijah Just stated:

“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.”

Why Do Celtic Need a Comprehensive Squad Overhaul This Summer?

The pursuit of the New Zealand international coincides with a broader realization inside Parkhead that the current first-team squad has become unsustainable in terms of sheer numbers and wage distribution.

As reported by the editorial staff of The Celtic Way, interim manager Martin O’Neill openly confessed his surprise at the excessive size of the playing staff he inherited. Martin O’Neill stated that:

“In terms of getting other players into the football club, yes, we will have a top-heavy squad come the end of the season or come when people are reporting back. I did not realise how big it is. To bring new people in, you’ll have to clear the decks. Absolutely, you couldn’t cope with that.”

O’Neill further expanded on the difficulties of dealing with returning loanees and balancing the roster. As reported by the same publication, Martin O’Neill noted:

“Of course, we’ve got some players here that other teams in big leagues will probably want. And that’s something to consider. But if you’re talking about players coming back from loans, who maybe have another two years to run, those things might be difficult. I suppose the last thing that those players want to do is, having been out on loan, then going back out on loan again. Either they want something permanent, or they want to feel as if they could do the job here.”

Background of the Elijah Just Development

Elijah Henry Just, born on May 1, 2000, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, arrived at Motherwell on July 9, 2025, signing a two-year contract from Austrian Second Liga side SKN St. Pölten for an undisclosed fee.

Prior to his arrival in the Scottish Premiership, Just had navigated a measured developmental path through the European mid-tier circuit, featuring for Danish clubs FC Helsingør and AC Horsens after migrating from the New Zealand domestic league where he played for Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs.

His debut season at Fir Park under manager Jens Berthel Askou has proved to be the most productive campaign of his professional career. Functioning primarily as a right-winger, Just established himself as an indispensable creative spark for Motherwell, starting 31 of his 34 league appearances and registering seven goals alongside seven assists across 39 matches in all competitions.

This rapid ascent in Scottish football culminated in his shortlisting for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award, an accolade that immediately triggered scouting protocols from both Celtic and Rangers. Internationally, Just has accumulated 42 senior caps for the New Zealand national team, including a spectacular four-goal performance in a single Oceania World Cup qualifying match, establishing him as a crucial figure for the All Whites ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

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Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Scottish Premiership Football Fans

If Celtic finalize the signature of Elijah Just, the transfer will alter the tactical landscape for supporters of Motherwell, Celtic, and Rangers in distinct ways.

For the Fir Park faithful, the departure of a PFA Player of the Year nominee will cause immediate anxiety regarding Motherwell’s offensive output, forcing the recruitment team to source a replacement capable of replicating Just’s fourteen direct goal contributions.

For Celtic season ticket holders, Just’s arrival provides a reliable, league-ready winger who eliminates the typical multi-month adaptation period required by foreign imports, offering immediate tactical flexibility as the club navigates a congested domestic and European calendar.

Conversely, for Rangers supporters, losing out on a top domestic target to their direct rivals will intensify pressure on the Ibrox board, amplifying demands for alternative high-calibre signings capable of dismantling Celtic’s newly reinforced domestic dominance.