Celtic: Elijah Just ‘fails audition’ as Stephen Craigan slams error after goal at Parkhead

Celtic target Elijah Just may have “failed his audition” for a summer move to Parkhead after being slammed by Stephen Craigan for a defensive error during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Motherwell.

The winger has been heavily linked with a move to join the Bhoys at the end of the season, as the Glasgow giants line up a squad overhaul to follow the appointment of a new manager.

Just struck the opener for Motherwell on Saturday afternoon, but it ultimately meant little in the context of the game, as Martin O’Neill’s men battled back to secure another crucial three points in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Celtic’s transfer plans have already identified Just as a target for next season, but his performance wasn’t all positive against what could potentially be his next club.

Celtic to think twice about Elijah Just deal

Just’s goal on Saturday was his seventh league strike of the season, to go alongside a further six assists from just 27 Premiership games so far this term.

Celtic have already identified him as a target for their summer window, while also having scouts tracking him weekly at the moment, according to The Herald.

The Bhoys’ recruitment team would have had no easier job than Saturday, given that the 25-year-old was in action right on their doorstep.

While Just’s goal showed his strong awareness in an attacking sense, he has since been criticised by ex-Motherwell hero Stephen Craigan for a lack of understanding at the other end of the pitch.

The New Zealand international was beaten to the loose ball after Benjamin Nygren’s cross deflected out to the edge of the box, when he allowed Yang Hyun-Jun to burst beyond him and equalise for Celtic in the 38th minute.

“Look at all the Celtic players around the ball, once you start playing two and three-yard passes, all you’re doing is asking them to come and put you under pressure,” Craigan said during his analysis on Sportscene.

“Just is standing ball watching on the edge of the box, and you can see the frustration of the Motherwell players because they were in a good position in the game.”

That basic error helped Celtic to change the course of the game, and surely would have been noted by the members of the Bhoys’ hierarchy who were in attendance.

Any move for Just would primarily be with his attacking quality in mind, but any Celtic player also needs to be aware defensively, and he may well have failed his Parkhead audition as a result of his error on Saturday.

Jens Berthel Askou twist to fuel Just links even further

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider on Sunday that Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is “nailed on” to get the Celtic job ahead of next season.

The Dane is among the current frontrunners for the role alongside the likes of Robbie Keane and Roberto Martinez, and a move to take the reins at Celtic Park would surely fuel the Just links even further.

The 43-year-old has helped the wideman enjoy an excellent campaign this time around, and it is clear that he is getting the best out of him and striker Tawanda Maswanhise at the moment.

Both stars have been extensively linked with a move to the green and white side of Glasgow in recent weeks, and if their current boss were to be appointed, then it would surely become even more likely that the deals get done.

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