'Sensational' - Motherwell's Just Scores World Cup Double for New Zealand
During Elijah Just's first start for Motherwell, there was a brief moment that heightened doubts among the skeptical home crowd at Fir Park. Possessing a slight physique that often leads to players being underestimated in Scottish football, Just engaged in a shoulder challenge against a resilient Peterhead midfielder. The New Zealander bounced off the part-time player from the third-tier side as the top-flight club sought to recover from a goal deficit.
These initial impressions, shared by much of the Motherwell fanbase, reflected broader concerns about whether the style of football manager Jens Berthel Askou aimed to implement could succeed in Scotland. Less than a year later, the Danish coach has moved to Toulouse in Ligue 1, while Just is making an impact on football's biggest stage following an impressive season at club level.
BBC Scotland traces the swift ascent of the attacking midfielder from second-division football to World Cup breakout star.
Just Scores Twice but New Zealand Held by Iran
World Cup fixtures and group standings
'A Memory That'll Last Me Forever'
When Just signed for Motherwell from Danish side Horsens last summer, there was little excitement or anticipation. Despite his international experience, he had only completed one season of top-flight football since leaving New Zealand for Europe in 2019. Prior to that, he spent the campaign before last on loan at SKN St Polten in the Austrian second division.
However, the 26-year-old shone in the Scottish Premiership last term. He was voted into the PFA Scotland team of the season and shortlisted for player of the year. He surpassed those achievements in a single World Cup match, becoming the first Motherwell player to score at a World Cup and his country's top scorer ever at a finals, with two exquisite finishes in a 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles.
"It is a memory that'll last me for the rest of my life," Just said after a standout display.
"It's incredible. It's not something I could even have dreamt of, so I'm just so happy. One was nice, so two was amazing."
'Pure Footballer' Who Has Thrived in System
Motherwell's Elijah Just scored seven goals and provided seven assists in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Just's rise is particularly notable because he previously played under Askou at Horsens and struggled under the Dane. He had spoken openly about the coach's more direct approach prior to moving to Scotland. Last term, that style evolved into some of the finest football seen from a Scottish non-Old Firm side in years.
Both on and off the ball, Just was central to that success, impressing visually and statistically. Compared with other attacking midfielders in the Premiership last season, only Celtic's Benjamin Nygren had a higher combined goals and assists tally. Only three players recorded more shots on target per 90 minutes, and just one created more big chances.
He ranked third for successful dribbles, second for tackles, fourth for recoveries, and sixth for interceptions.
"He's a pure footballer," former Hibernian and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan told BBC Scotland.
"He's quite slight, but his awareness, ability to play in tight areas and hurt you is brilliant. Forget the stats - on the eye test, he's been absolutely outstanding.
"He takes touches away from pressure, he has a picture of what he wants to do and he's really fit, so he runs off people a lot.
"The awareness of when to play one-touch, when to play two-touch and then having the creativity in the final third."
Transfer Talk Inevitable - But Just Wants No Distraction
With transfer speculation around his future increasing, Just has insisted he wants no distractions from his agent until after his World Cup commitments. pundit Chris Sutton, who was on punditry duty for New Zealand's draw with Iran, suggested Motherwell could look to "add a couple of zeros" to the price tag.
Celtic, one of Sutton's former clubs, have been reported to show interest in Just, as have their Glasgow rivals Rangers. However, following an excellent season in Scotland and a statement performance at the World Cup, the former striker fears Just could now be beyond their reach.
"Celtic should've snapped Just up before now," Sutton said.
"Now it could really cost them. Tremendous performance from him."
Motherwell, who expect to announce a new manager soon, sold Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller for a record fee last summer. With Just still having a year left on his current contract, plus a club-held option for an additional 12 months, it would require another significant fee to secure their latest talent from Lanarkshire.
