Celtic and Rangers summer target admits: I love Glasgow!

Tom Weber

• 28 Mar 2026 15:00 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Motherwell star Elijah Just has revealed that he is loving life in Glasgow amid interest from Celtic and Rangers.

The New Zealand international has been one of many revelations in Jens Berthel Askou's exciting team this season. Just has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 28 Premiership games so far this term.

Along with shock leaders Hearts, Motherwell have been the surprise package of the season, currently sitting fourth while playing the best football in the division. Just's contribution has been invaluable as the Steelmen have surged up the table.

Naturally, his performances have attracted the attention of other clubs, including Rangers and Celtic. Both Glasgow giants have been linked with the Kiwi in recent days. His current deal at Motherwell runs until 2027, but the club has the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

This puts them in a fairly comfortable position ahead of the summer. However, most players in the Premiership would find it difficult to resist the allure of the big two.

Just is loving life in Glasgow

Just is currently on international duty with New Zealand and played 79 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Finland. Before the game, he spoke to FIFA.com about his time in Glasgow and the recent transfer speculation.

"Away from the pitch, it's just been so easy to integrate into society, walking around Glasgow with different restaurants and events that are going on, because everything's in English, it's just so much easier," the 25-year-old said, having previously played in the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark.

"It really is like living a different life from when my girlfriend and I were in Denmark and Austria, where it's just so much more difficult when you don't understand what's going on.

"It also helps that we’re doing really well, and when I bump into fans, a lot of them tell me that this is one of the best Motherwell teams they've seen, and my time at the club has exceeded all expectations.

"As for the speculation, I think that’s normal when you're doing well, but I've still got so much football to play, including the World Cup this year, let alone the rest of my contract, so it's not something I'm thinking about at all."

Just's full focus is currently on the World Cup, where the Kiwis will take on Iran (if they participate), Egypt and Belgium. "I wasn’t born for the 1982 World Cup, but with the 2010 one in South Africa, I was waking up in the middle of the night to watch the games," he explained.

"Most of our current squad were young at that time and drew such inspiration from that group, so it's incredible to know that we have an opportunity to create those lifelong memories for the next generation.

"One thing we've talked about is that we want to get out of the group. That's something that has never happened in New Zealand history at a World Cup," Just added.

"Obviously, getting out of the group means we need to win, and that would also be a first in the team's history, so that’s the first thing we need to accomplish.

"Get the win, get out of the group and then from there take each game as it comes. But we've got a lot of belief in the squad, we have players now playing at high levels, there’s a really tight bond, and we’re confident that we can get it done."

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