Key Points

• Motherwell attacking midfielder Elijah Just has been told it would be “stupid” for Celtic and Rangers not to sign him, according to former Celtic striker Chris Sutton
• Just, 26, was nominated for PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year and named in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year after his standout 2025-26 season
• The New Zealand international won both Motherwell’s Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards at the club’s end-of-season ceremony
• Just has recorded seven goals and eight assists in 42 appearances for Motherwell since joining from AC Horsens in summer 2025
• Both Celtic and Rangers have been credited with interest in the versatile midfielder who can play on the wings or as a forward
• Just will become the first permanent Motherwell player to feature at a World Cup since Tommy Coyne in 1994, representing New Zealand at the 2026 tournament
• Motherwell will reluctantly accept a “big-money” offer for Just if one arrives this summer, according to Football Insider
• Just remains under contract at Motherwell until 2027 with a base salary of £156,000 per year
• The player has told his agent to exclude transfer discussions so he can focus on football and the World Cup
• Just has 42 international caps for New Zealand with nine goals and three assists

Motherwell (Glasgow Express) June 3, 2026 – Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has declared that both Celtic and Rangers would be “stupid” not to pursue a deal for Motherwell’s Elijah Just after the New Zealand international’s exceptional debut season in Scottish football.

What Did Chris Sutton Say About Elijah Just’s Transfer Value?

As reported by the team at 67HailHail, Sutton stated that Celtic would be “stupid” not to sign Elijah Just after his strong campaign for Motherwell.

The comment was extended to include Rangers, with Sutton suggesting both Old Firm clubs would be “daft” not to firm up their reported interest in the 26-year-old attacking midfielder.

Sutton’s assessment comes after Just emerged as one of the Premiership’s most standout performers, earning recognition that has attracted attention from Scotland’s two biggest clubs.

How Did Elijah Just Perform in His First Premiership Season?

According to BBC Sport, Just and teammate Tawanda Maswanhise were acknowledged for their outstanding performances by being named finalists for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award. The pair competed against Hearts forwards Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga for the prestigious honour.

PFA Scotland announced Just’s inclusion in the Premiership Team of the Year for 2025, with the organisation stating:

“Providing an unmatched sense of style and flair across the season, Elijah Just continued to turn heads in his first Premiership campaign”.

The New Zealand international has recorded seven goals and seven assists since his summer move to Lanarkshire.

Further statistics from BBC Sport show Just has accumulated 42 appearances for Motherwell with seven goals and eight assists, showcasing versatility as he can play both in midfield and on the forward line.

Which Awards Did Elijah Just Win at Motherwell?

At Motherwell FC’s sold-out end-of-season awards ceremony at Dalziel Park, Just was voted Players’ Player of the Year by his fellow squad members. The award came after a stunning season that saw him nominated alongside Lukas Fadinger, Elliot Watt, Calum Ward, Paul McGinn and Tawanda Maswanhise.

The final award of the evening also went to Just, who was voted Player of the Year by Motherwell FC supporters, capping off a wonderful night with his second trophy of the evening.

This marked the first time he has won both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player awards in the same season.

Additionally, Just claimed the G4 Claims May Player of the Month award, topping off an impressive first season with Motherwell.

What Transfer Interest Has Elijah Just Received?

According to BBC Sport’s Scottish gossip column, Rangers are closely monitoring Motherwell’s Elijah Just, with Celtic also expressing interest in the New Zealand midfielder. The Daily Record first reported the Rangers interest in March 2026.

Football Insider revealed that Celtic have been keeping a close eye on Just’s performances throughout the season and plan to step up their efforts ahead of the summer window. Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider:

“Elijah Just is exactly the type of player Celtic are looking at”.

Football Insider first revealed in March that Celtic are interested in signing Just, although they will face competition from Old Firm rivals Rangers in their pursuit. After winning the league following a dramatic final-day victory against Hearts, Celtic are now confident of stepping up their transfer plans, with Just firmly on their radar.

What Is Motherwell’s Stance on Selling Elijah Just?

As revealed by Football Insider on March 23, Motherwell will accept “big-money” offers for Just and do not plan to stand in the way if an offer comes in. Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast reported that

“Motherwell, I’m sure, are realistic about what might happen. If a big-money offer comes in for their players, they’ll reluctantly have to accept it”.

The publication further reported that Just will leave Motherwell this summer if Rangers offer a sizeable amount for his services to follow up their continued interest. Their rival Celtic are also understood to be preparing ambitious summer spending plans.

Despite Celtic’s growing interest, Just remains under contract with Motherwell until 2027, and a deal will have to be agreed with the club. His current market value is estimated at €2.50m according to Transfermarkt.

What Did Elijah Just Say About Transfer Speculation?

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”.

The Motherwell star continued:

“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”.

CeltsAreHere spoke exclusively to Just’s agent in recent weeks, who confirmed there has been interest in the player.

What Is Special About Elijah Just’s World Cup Call-Up?

According to Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport, Just will this summer become the first permanent Motherwell player to feature at a World Cup since Tommy Coyne did so in 1994. The midfielder has been selected for the All Whites roster for the prestigious tournament taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

This marks New Zealand’s first World Cup appearance since 2010, where they went through the group stage without a loss but did not secure a win. New Zealand have been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and Egypt.

Just has accumulated 42 international caps, netting nine goals and providing three assists throughout his career.

What Are Just’s Contract Details and Market Value?

According to SalaryLeaks, Just signed a two-year contract at Motherwell on July 9, 2025, running until 2027. His base salary is £156,000 per year (£3,000 per week), and he can also earn £39,000 per year in bonuses. His total contract is worth £390,000 over two years.

Transfermarkt lists his market value at €2.50m, and he was born on May 1, 2000, in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Standing at 1.74m, Just plays predominantly as a right winger for Motherwell, wearing the number 21 jersey.

How Has Motherwell’s Manager Impacted Just’s Development?

Just made the move to Motherwell from AC Horsens, a club in Denmark’s second division, last summer and has emerged as a key player under manager Jens Berthel Askou. The versatile midfielder has been a standout under Askou at Motherwell this season.

However, Rangers’ chances of signing Just have improved as Jens Berthel Askou moves closer to joining Toulouse over rivals Celtic, according to Football Insider. The Dane is now in talks to become the new boss of Ligue 1 side Toulouse after a 10th-placed Ligue 1 finish.

Now that the Motherwell boss could be snapped up by Toulouse, both Old Firm sides look to be on a level playing field when it comes to tempting Just into a move away.

What Is the Timeline for a Potential Transfer?

Just is unlikely to leave Fir Park until after the World Cup, according to Football Insider. The 26-year-old is set to star at the World Cup for New Zealand this summer, with 14 goal contributions in 35 league games ending the 2025-26 season.

Just has just one year left on his current contract at Motherwell, so an exit feels inevitable, with talks over a new deal yet to be reported on.

Background: Elijah Just’s Development and Rise to prominence

Elijah Just was born on May 1, 2000, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and has developed into one of Scottish football’s most promising attacking midfielders. His career trajectory took him from New Zealand to Denmark’s second division with AC Horsens before his transformative move to Motherwell in July 2025.

The transfer fee for Just’s move from AC Horsens to Motherwell was kept under wraps, but his impact has been immediate and significant. In August 2024, Just was loaned out to St. Polten in Austria’s 2. Liga, where he made 19 first-team appearances and scored six goals during the 2024-2025 season.

His fine form at Motherwell has alerted both Old Firm clubs to his availability, and his performances have piqued the interest of the league’s top clubs after just one season in Scotland.

The Motherwell team took acclaim all season, and Just was one of the main standouts in what was described as a campaign that earned the team widespread recognition.

Just’s versatility has been key to his success, as he can function effectively on the wings or as a forward while primarily operating as an attacking midfielder. His style and flair have been described as “unmatched” by PFA Scotland, which noted he

“continued to turn heads in his first Premiership campaign”.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Scottish Football Fans and the Old Firm

Enthusiasts of both Celtic and Rangers will be watching closely as the transfer race for Elijah Just intensifies, with Sutton’s comments elevating the stakes for both clubs. Scottish Premiership fans may see one of the division’s breakout stars of the 2025-26 season move to Glasgow, potentially strengthening an Old Firm club’s squad for next season.

Motherwell supporters face the likelihood of losing their Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year to a Glasgow giant, as the club has indicated they will reluctantly accept a big-money offer. This could impact Motherwell’s attacking options for the 2026-27 season, though the club may receive significant transfer funds in return.

New Zealand football fans will have Just representing the All Whites at the 2026 World Cup before any potential transfer is completed, marking a historic moment as the first permanent Motherwell player to appear at a World Cup since 1994. The timing of the World Cup (June 11 to July 19, 2026) means Just’s performances on the international stage could further increase his market value before any summer move.