Celtic target Elijah Just’s agent has spoken regarding a summer move.
The Motherwell winger caught the eye at Celtic Park on Saturday, opening the scoring before Martin O’Neill’s side turned it around. It was another reminder of what the 25-year-old has been producing this season.
Celtic are among the clubs watching.
Interest has been building for months and, with the summer window approaching, the situation is starting to gather pace behind the scenes.
Just, though, is not getting dragged into any of it.
His agent, Gustaf Grauers, made that clear when speaking about the player’s current mindset. He said (TCW):
“I talk to Eli on a regular basis, in fact I spoke to him today.
“He knows that in this world of football, you get recognised if you do well. However, he does not want to have that conversation with me; his entire focus is on Motherwell and the World Cup this summer.
“He trusts that I take care of everything outside the pitch so he can focus on it. So right now we don’t talk about any other clubs than Motherwell and he is fully committed and focused on ending the season in the best possible way with his team mates.”
It fits with what has been seen on the pitch.
Just has been direct, sharp, and willing to take responsibility in attacking areas. Motherwell have leaned on him heavily and he has delivered.
Celtic will already know what he can do.
They saw it up close at the weekend and it will not have gone unnoticed inside the recruitment team.
The wider picture matters here.
Just is heading into a summer World Cup with New Zealand, already 40 caps deep at international level. Games against Iran, Egypt and Belgium will put him on a bigger stage than he has been used to in Scotland.
If he performs there, the queue will grow.
Celtic will not be the only club keeping tabs. Grauers confirmed there is interest elsewhere, and that tends to accelerate quickly once a player is in that environment.
That leaves a decision for the club.
Move early and take advantage of the groundwork already done, or wait and risk being priced out if his stock rises.
Motherwell are unlikely to make it easy either way.
There is clearly something there worth looking at.
For now, Just is focused on finishing the season strongly.
Celtic, meanwhile, will be watching closely and weighing up whether to make their move before the summer takes on a life of its own.
