Motherwell star is happy to be in the dark about St Mirren

Daily Record

3 days ago

Elijah Just says he can't over-think about an opponent if he doesn't know much about them
Elijah Just knows absolutely nothing about St Mirren – and reckons that could work in his and Motherwell's favour.
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Just and his team-mates travel to Paisley on Saturday to tackle the Saints, looking to build on their 1-1 draw at home to Rangers on Saturday evening.
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The 25-year-old New Zealander says being in the dark about their opponents might help.
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Just, who signed a two-year deal from Danish side Horsens last month, said: 'I'm sure a lot of the lads are quite familiar with St Mirren and the players, but I'm new, so I don't know too much.
'To be honest, I think that works in my favour – I just go into the game not thinking, or over-thinking, just playing my game, and getting stuck in.'
Just has impressed since his arrival in ML1, and played a key role in Saturday's draw against Rangers.
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The midfielder reckons being brave on the ball is playing a major part in their success so far.
Just said: 'That was really enjoyable, against a team like Rangers, who have a lot of quality.
'There were times when I was just watching the centre-backs just try and play, they were so courageous.
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'When we play them in the first game it's really important that we try to apply ourselves in the way the manager wants us to play, and I think we did a really good job.
'The boys were really courageous, and it was a step in the right direction. We know that if we play with that style we'll create chances and we'll be a good side.
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'Where I play, in the middle, it can be tough, but especially at the back, inside out own goal box. That takes a lot of courage, and we were brave on the ball.
'It was very intense, the fans were loud, the pitch was really good, and when I went out to warm up, I thought 'this is proper football' – but when the game got going, I started to feel good and comfortable.'
Just says there wasn't much said at half-time, as Motherwell stepped up pressure on Rangers in the second period.
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He said: 'We made a few small adjustments at half-time, but it was more or less keep doing what we're doing, try to limit the turnovers, and be really smart on the ball.
'As the game went on and we didn't have the equaliser, and there were a few chances, you start to think 'we really need something here'.
'When the goal went in, we pushed on and had another two chances at the end, so we're really happy.'
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Just is chasing a place in New Zealand's team at the 2026 World Cup, and reckons Motherwell is a good place to show what he can do.
He said: 'Personally, it's really important. It's one year to the World Cup and I want to put myself in the best possible position in the national team.
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'So I hope I can get a good run of games, and play well, and see what happens.
'I hope I'll be involved next summer. This current group of players we have with the national team are really strong, who are playing all around the world, so competition is really high.
'If I can do well in the Premiership this year, that gives me the best opportunity to play.
'That's a real driver for this move. It's a massive motivation for me, to be in that World Cup squad. There are a lot of players in my position, who are playing in really good clubs around the world, so this is a massive opportunity for me.'