Rangers will be able to sign Motherwell star Elijah Just for a cut-price fee this summer, amid an “open race’ with Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic.
Just has put himself in the shop window with his performances for New Zealand at the World Cup. The All Whites may have been eliminated in the group stage, but their forward impressed on a personal level, bagging three goals in as many games.
The right-winger followed up a fantastic season for Motherwell at club level, during which he received major plaudits from New Zealand boss Darren Bazeley, who said: “He actually looks like the best player in the league at the moment.
“It was actually another player in the league who told me that and I thought that was really, really great to hear.”
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
After falling short in their title bid last season, Rangers have set out to raid their Scottish Premiership rivals, with Lawrence Shankland, who scored 16 league goals, arriving from Hearts. A new right-winger may also be required, considering Oliver Antman struggled to make an impact, finding the net just once in the league. |
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Finances |
Owing to his contract situation, the Motherwell star is set to be available for ‘well below’ £5m, which should be more than affordable, considering Derik McInnes could have around £40m to play with. |
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Insight |
Chris Wood lauded his international teammate after the 2-2 World Cup draw against Iran, saying: “”Elijah is very good, he showed it all season for Motherwell and he stepped up to the plate today and scored two great goals and hopefully there will be many more in the World Cup campaign.” Indeed, the 26-year-old put in some very impressive performances for the Steelmen, picking up seven goals and eight assists in 30 matches. |
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Impact |
Antman could be pushed down the pecking order if Rangers manage to get a deal for Just over the line, while Djeidi Gassama could be given the nod on his favoured left side instead of being deployed on the right flank. |
Elijah Just set to be available for cut-price fee
According to a report from Football Insider, Rangers are now battling Celtic for the Motherwell winger’s signature, with one source stating it is an “open race”, and he is set to be available on the cheap.
The New Zealand star has just one year remaining on his Motherwell deal, which means a deal will be possible for way under £5m, and a move is starting to look ‘increasingly likely’, given that he wants to test himself at a bigger club.
Elijah Just could be major upgrade on Oliver Antman
Antman picked up just four goal involvements in 16 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, in what was a dismal debut campaign at Ibrox, so it is clear Rangers need to bring in an upgrade this summer.
Just could be exactly that, considering he averaged a goal a game at the World Cup, after amassing seven goals and eight assists for Motherwell last season.
The 47-cap New Zealand international also created 11 big chances, compared to just three from the Rangers forward, who only received 696 minutes of game time across the entire campaign.
Signing the Scottish Premiership’s top players could enable the Gers to go all the way in their title pursuit next season, and Just is certainly in that category.
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