Charlie Mulgrew has urged Celtic to sign two Motherwell players this summer after the former Hoops defender was mightily impresses by the pair during Celtic’s 3-1 win over the highly rated Fir Park team at Celtic Park last weekend…
Mulgrew identified the two Motherwell stars that he would like to see move to Glasgow’s east end in the summer transfer window. The former Scotland international identified Elijah Just and Elliot Watt as the two most likely ‘Well stars who could do a job for Celtic next season.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Elijah Just gave Motherwell the lead on Saturday at Celtic Park with the midfielder now having seven goals and the same number of assists in his debut season in Scottish football.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show Charlie Mulgrew said: “Eli Just, what a player. I think he’ll probably be away in the summer, someone will probably come for him. I think Celtic should try and get him, and also the boy Watt, who was brilliant on the day.”
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Mulgrew went onto praise the style of play that Jens Berthel Askou has introduced to Motherwell this season, meaning he must surely be a strong contender for the vacancy at Celtic Park in the summer.
Mulgrew added: “But Motherwell for me, I’ve never seen a team as good outside Celtic and Rangers, the way they play that many short passes.
“Their go-to isn’t a safety ball just aimlessly forward to nobody. They want to play long passes, but it’s long passes with a purpose to try and get in behind.
Elijah Just of Motherwell celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“But they’ll go and they’ll play short passes, they’ll try and get out tight areas, through the channels with short passes, bounce passes. They lose it sometimes, but the manager just comes in and he says, ‘No, you play, you play.’ And he believes in a philosophy, it’s clear to see, and the players have all bought into it.”
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
We already know that a major restructure of our playing squad, is expected this summer.
Already, have a huge squad, without much, if any playing time is available for so many within it.
But regardless of who gets the job of trying to restructure our squad, there remains some certain conditions that have to be improved upon, no matter what?
Our midfield areas, still tends to give up possession far too easily. Can tend to get bullied on to many occasions. And can be suspect at times, defensively in our midfield, especially as it doesn’t really contain ball winners within it.
Nygren is a great example of his goal scoring habits, can mask over the other weakness within his overall game.
But that can also apply to all of our 7 midfield options, when all are available?
Don’t think our midfield areas, has functioned particularly well for the best part of this season imo. That’s despite the numerous combinations that have been used?
Even now, if all 7 were available, still remains unclear as to which 3 would start, and the 2 upon the subs bench? Leaving 2 to miss out upon the match day squad.
Without knowing how a new manager intends to set our team up. Then it remains impossible to say who might be an addition to ourselves in that regards.
But think the biggest decision any manager faces regarding our midfield, is having to address this Calmac role, and the policy of him expected to play every minute of every game?
Don’t believe that is an option any longer, with the footballing calendar as it is.
Also, struggling to see if Hatate, Engels and Paulo will be around next season also imo?
So overall, there is expected to be some amount of changes within the so called engine room of our squad, especially with it misfiring on so many occasions this season to date imo?