Elijah Just continues to be spoken about in Celtic circles.
The Motherwell superstar has just had a productive debut World Cup campaign, scoring two goals and further enhancing his reputation on the world stage.
The Open Goal panel discussed Just’s current situation and how he would be a welcome addition to Celtic this summer.
But Ian McCall went one further and suggested that Just would be an ‘upgrade’ on Celtic’s top-scorer Benjamin Nygren.
🤔 Have Celtic missed the boat for Elijah Just?
Elijah Just and Benjamin Nygren debate
Si Ferry: “Does Elijah Just play for Celtic?”
McCall: “I would love to see him play and see what he is like. I know Andy (Halliday) knows him better than me.
“But when I have seen him, he looks unbelievable. I think he would really suit how Celtic wants to play. I would love to see it happen.
“Would Celtic pay £5-6 million for a boy from Motherwell? I am not so sure. But I think he would be a really good signing for Celtic.”
Ferry: “Does he play ahead of Nygren?”
Andy Halliday: “No.”
Ferry: “If he’s going to play in one position, it’s going to be Nygren’s position, isn’t it?”
McCall: “I know, but could they play in the same team? I don’t know.”
Halliday: “I think he could play off the right, which has been a problem position. I know Yang did really well last year, but who else have they got who can play on that side? Every winger Celtic have got wants to play on the left.
“I think he can definitely play there, especially when you have Alistair Johnston on that side.”
McCall: “I think if there is a sniff for Nygren, £8 million or whatever, I think he would go and sign Just. I think it would be an upgrade.”
Halliday: “Just would be a brilliant signing.”
McCall: “I get the fact 21 goals from Nygren. But I think he would be an upgrade.”
Don’t underestimate Nygren’s goalscoring brilliance
Yes, Celtic should sign Just, and he is a better all-round player than Nygren, but it doesn’t mean that he would be a better option than the Swedish star.
Nygren scored 21 goals in his debut campaign for Celtic and was a key reason behind Martin O’Neill bringing home the double.
Imagine if Nygren had more stability around him, and not players like Reo Hatate declining at an alarming rate.
Plus, what also needs to be applauded is the penalty-box crasher dealing with the Celtic pressure and scoring again and again for the champions of Scotland.
Once again, while Celtic should bring Just to the club, you can’t guarantee that he would be able to deal with the pressure and perform like he did at Fir Park, because it’s a different animal altogether.
But on the other hand, the Hoops need that magic in the middle of the park. Somebody who can take the ball like Matt O’Riley used to in his pomp.
Just fits inside that category very smoothly, and that is why many of the Celtic Park faithful would be split over who they prefer, the rising star from New Zealand or the goalscoring poacher from Sweden.
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