Rangers Have Eyes On 25-Year-Old Cetic Target: Should The Club Prioritise Him? | OneFootball

Rangers and Celtic are reportedly keeping close tabs on Motherwell winger Elijah Just. Transfer interest is expected to intensify once the summer window opens. The report originated from Football Insider. Specifically, it came through the Transfer Insider podcast hosted by Pete O’Rourke. O’Rourke is an experienced transfer correspondent. His career spans over two decades and includes lengthy stints at Sky Sports and ESPN.

Rangers and Celtic Eye Motherwell’s Elijah Just Ahead of Summer Window

The 25-year-old New Zealand international has delivered seven goals and six assists across 25 starts and three substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season. These numbers place him firmly among the most productive attacking players in the division. O’Rourke drew attention to a familiar pattern in Scottish football.

This pattern emerges whenever a player outside the Glasgow clubs produces sustained quality. He noted that Motherwell have been one of the surprise packages of the Premiership this campaign. He also indicated that he ranks among the players most likely to depart Fir Park once the summer arrives. This stems from the high level of attention he now attracts.

Just’s goal against Celtic on 14 March 2026 catalysed the surge in interest surrounding him. His market value is currently approximately £1.27 million on Transfermarkt. Experts widely expect this value to rise further before the season concludes. The Palmerston North-born winger joined Motherwell on a two-year contract in July 2025. He moved from AC Horsens in Denmark. He has rapidly established himself as one of the standout performers at the club.

“It’s a similar situation that we always find in Scotland. If a player outside the Old Firm is doing well, you normally see the Rangers and Celtic linked with them.

“That’s the case with Elijah Just, who’s had a very impressive season for Motherwell. He scored against Celtic last week, so that’s going to bring eyes on him and his performances.

“The likes of Rangers and Celtic will be keeping tabs on Motherwell’s best players, and they’ll be hoping they can maybe nab them away.”

Should Rangers Actually Prioritise Just, or Does His Profile Mask a Deeper Positional Problem?

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 14: Elijah Just of New Zealand headers the ball under pressure from Mohamed Syamer Bin Kutty Abba of Malaysia during the International Friendly match between the New Zealand All Whites and Malaysia at North Harbour Stadium on October 14, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The transfer link raises a question that goes beyond whether Just is good enough. This is where the conversation gets genuinely interesting. Rangers already have Andreas Skov Olsen in their squad. Suggestions circulating say Just could effectively serve as a replacement. This would happen if the former Copenhagen man fails to establish himself convincingly at Ibrox. That framing reveals something important about how Rangers view their own attacking depth. The fact that they see a Scottish Premiership winger as a potential upgrade is a clear admission. It shows where Skov Olsen stands in their thinking.

Per 90 minutes this season, Just averages 0.31 goals and a 0.26 expected goals figure. He also records 2.76 shots, 1.73 chances created, and a 26.88 per cent successful crossing rate. These stats make him one of the sharpest attacking threats the division has produced. He brings genuine versatility, too. Just operates effectively on both flanks and in a number ten role. This gives any manager tactical flexibility, and those qualities suit Rangers. The club have found consistency in wide areas elusive lately.

Yet, Just carries notable weaknesses worth scrutinising. He lacks the physical presence to dominate in aerial or contact-heavy situations. The Scottish Premiership is competitive. However, it does not always prepare a player for the sharper defensive intensity of European knockout football. His FotMob average rating of 7.44 for the season is impressive. Still, it reflects excellence within a mid-table context. Whether he translates at a club with genuine European ambitions remains an open question.

Rangers will also need to compare the financial dynamics carefully. His price will likely increase significantly before anyone tables a formal bid. The honest assessment is that Just suits Rangers better than Celtic right now. Celtic stand to lose creative midfield players in the summer and carries a greater long-term ambition. Just will turn 26 when the window opens. He represents a pragmatic, value-driven signing rather than a transformative one. For a Rangers side still finding their footing under Danny Röhl, that pragmatism might be exactly the right approach.