One reported Celtic target has addressed his future as he prepares to head home from North America. The Bhoys have been linked with a number of potential targets this summer, but they are yet to pull the trigger on any.
It has been a painfully slow start for Celtic this summer, and Martin O'Neill will regularly be in the ears of those above him after warning recruitment had to be more efficient this summer.
One of the forwards the Hoops have been linked with this summer is Motherwell and New Zealand star Elijah Just, who scored twice in his nation's first World Cup game. But New Zealand have now been eliminated, and Just is headed home.
Just on his future amid Celtic links
Speaking to RNZ about his future amid links with Celtic and others this summer, Just said: "A lot of the boys, they’ve just started pre-season.
“We’ve got a new coach, so on that hand I’m also excited to head back and see what kind of changes are being brought in. We’ve got some exciting fixtures coming up to qualify for the Conference League.
“Motherwell have supported me, and they are also proud and want to put me forward, and I’m representing the club a little bit as the only member who’s playing at the World Cup.”
Just has been caught up in the World Cup fever, and we always see players who play well linked with big moves after the tournament. But in Just's case, he was also coming off the back of an impressive Premiership campaign that saw him score seven and assist eight for Motherwell.
The World Cup will help Motherwell maximise their asking price should they consider selling this summer, but it doesn't feel as though anything is close at this stage, and Celtic are unlikely to pay over the odds.
Just on New Zealand's campaign
New Zealand ended up falling out of the group stage at the World Cup, suffering a heavy defeat to Belgium when they needed to pull off an unexpected win to stand a chance of progressing.
“It’s really disappointing. We knew it would be difficult coming in against Belgium needing the win," Just reflected. "If there’s any disappointment, it’s probably looking back at the first two games."
“But it’s been a long journey, and I’m proud of the boys. Everyone worked their hardest, but it wasn’t to be — but yeah, I never would have expected to score three goals, so of course it’s nice.”
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