Simon Donnelly says Celtic’s transfer hopes for Elijah Just have become clear after World Cup brace

Add as preferred source on Google

In truth, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Celtic board aren’t pro-active or ambitious enough.

That is being proven by what Celtic transfer target Elijah Just is doing at the 2026 World Cup for New Zealand.

Previously, there has been interest from Celtic in Just, following his breakthrough and outstanding campaign for Motherwell last term.

But Simon Donnelly feels that Celtic have now missed the boat with Just, because his name is now up in the big lights of the World Cup stage.

“I think that boat may have sailed in terms of Celtic, and I think Rangers were linked with him as well,” said Donnelly.

• READ MORE: Crystal Palace join Arne Engels fight as door opens for Celtic windfall

🤔 Have Celtic missed the boat for Elijah Just?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Are Celtic still able to sign Elijah Just after World Cup brace for New Zealand?

Nobody is saying that Just is now going to leave Motherwell and join an English Premier League club for an inflated price.

But this brace in the World Cup against Iran draws more attention and pulls him further away from a Celtic side yet to sort out their backroom staff.

The 2026 summer transfer window opened on Monday, never mind the champions of Scotland being ahead of the curve and already bringing players in to help Martin O’Neill out.

The powers that be haven’t even sorted out O’Neill’s backroom staff yet, which sums up those making the calls and further proves why fans protest.

It then leaves the Hoops chasing, chasing and chasing, as they will probably watch Just leave for better and bigger things after the World Cup.

Either way, as Donnelly stated on Clyde 1, all of this will benefit one team, and that’s Motherwell because of the money they will be able to bring in for their young attacking midfielder’s services.

“I think that boat may have sailed in terms of Celtic, and I think Rangers were linked with him as well,” said Donnelly.

“Going and scoring two goals on that platform, everybody is watching, I think that might catapult him somewhere else, whether that’s the English Premier League.

“The value is obviously there. It will benefit Motherwell. It’s football. It has happened before. His two goals against Iran, that was my immediate thought that he might be out of reach of a Celtic already.”