Elijah Just has warned Scotland that they can’t afford to take Group C underdogs Haiti for granted.
The Motherwell midfielder started for New Zealand as the All Whites were swept aside in a World Cup warm-up in Miami on Tuesday night.
The Caribbean underdogs blitzed their opponents in a deserved 4-0 win, playing fast, powerful attacking football.
And Just suspects the Scots are in for a testing night in their opening game in Boston. “Haiti are a good side, they have a lot of good one-v-one players and were really sharp," he said. “They’re direct, strong, powerful and they’ll cause teams some problems.
“Look, I’m not an expert on the Scottish national team, but for sure, you can’t underestimate them. It will be difficult for Scotland. I think if anyone thinks there will be easy games at the World Cup, that will be a mistake.
“I hope Scotland don’t underestimate them because they’re a good side.”
New Zealand geared up for Group G games against Iran, Egypt and Belgium with a morale-sapping defeat and the build-up is unlikely to get any any easier with a game against England in Tampa on Saturday.
“Of course, it’s special for me to be part of the squad for a World Cup," said Just. “It’s been nice to be in the group but you can see there’s a lot of work that’s still to be done.
“If we want to make something good out of the tournament, we have to work really hard and improve quickly. I’m looking forward to being on the world stage. It’s another step for me to show myself.
“Hopefully I take some of my club form into the World Cup and help out the boys.”
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Just was an outstanding performer for Motherwell in the SPFL Premiership, earning individual recognition for his form under departed boss Jens Berthel Askou in the end-of-season awards.
“It was an incredible season," Just continued. "Of course, when you have such a good group and coaching staff, it’s always a bit sad when it comes to an end. Players will leave and obviously Jens is already gone so who knows what’s going to happen.
“I wish Jens all the best. I think it’s a pretty cool move for him and he deserves it.”
Admired by Celtic, Rangers and other clubs, the 26-year-old will place himself in the shop window during New Zealand’s games in Los Angeles and Vancouver on the west coast and insists he is focused only on the here and now.
“There is speculation, but I’m just focused on the World Cup, and hopefully I can show myself a little bit better than I did against Haiti. Who knows what will happen? If I’m heading back to Motherwell, we’ve got exciting European games and whatever else.
“It’s to hear my name mentioned with big clubs and it’s not something I expected going in. But it’s a testament to not only my hard work but the whole squad. We were brilliant last season but it’s not only me who deserves plaudits and links.
“A few of the boys have been outstanding. I want to play at the highest level, absolutely. I’ve been bouncing around lower leagues in my career so to take a step this year and show a little bit of my potential was nice.
“But of course, everyone wants to keep pushing and test themselves to see how far they can go.”
