Alexander Isak broke the British transfer record this summer (Credits: Imago Images)
New Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson is walking into what many consider the toughest managerial position in the Scottish Premiership right now.
The 35-year-old former Rosenborg manager inherits a talented squad assembled by predecessor Jens Berthel Askou, who has since departed Scottish football entirely.
Winger Elijah Just is the crown jewel of that squad, having claimed the player of the year award in his debut season at Fir Park after scoring seven goals in 39 appearances.
The New Zealander then carried that stunning form onto the global stage, becoming the first Motherwell player ever to score at a FIFA World Cup when he netted against Iran.
Just followed that historic strike with a second goal as New Zealand drew 2-2, sending his transfer value soaring in the process.
Former Motherwell teammate Andy Halliday admits the winger completely defied his initial expectations when he first arrived in Lanarkshire last summer.
Halliday said: “When I first saw him I thought, ‘He’s going to get eaten alive in Scottish football! He’s 5ft 6in, the size of my pinky, no real pace, no real power’.”
However, the retired midfielder quickly changed his assessment as Just consistently outthought opponents throughout the season with remarkable composure and intelligence.
Halliday added: “But when your brain is faster than anybody else on the pitch you can make football look easy, and he’s got the heart the size of a lion for somebody so small.”
Both Celtic and Rangers have been tentatively linked with the 26-year-old, who remains under contract at Fir Park until next summer with an option for a further 12 months.
Halliday believes Just’s World Cup performances have dramatically escalated his market value beyond what anyone previously anticipated for a Motherwell player.
He said: “Before the World Cup, I didn’t think it would have got to Lennon Miller fee type of numbers, but he scored a double in the first game of the World Cup.”
Miller’s move to Udinese last summer set a Motherwell record at £4.7 million, a figure Halliday now believes Just could comfortably surpass if his tournament form continues.
Halliday noted: “Motherwell will certainly be asking for a pretty penny for him,” while also highlighting striker Tawanda Maswanhise, who finished as the league’s top scorer last season.
The challenge facing Johansson is compounded by the possibility that multiple high-value players could depart simultaneously during the summer transfer window.
Halliday questioned: “They could lose them all, which will be difficult as well. Who do they replace those guys with?”
He was also candid about the widespread expectation among Scottish football supporters that Askou would eventually become Celtic manager before his surprise exit.
Halliday said: “Probably like a lot of people, I thought it was inevitable he was going to be the next Celtic manager,” expressing genuine disappointment at losing him from the Scottish game.
Despite the uncertainty, Halliday acknowledged that Askou has left Johansson with an exceptionally well-structured and talent-rich squad to work with heading into next season.
He said: “They had a manager who had that style of play and tried to develop individuals as well as a team — how many sellable assets have Motherwell got on the pitch? They will get serious money for Elijah Just.”
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