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Daily Record
6 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Motherwell star is happy to be in the dark about St Mirren
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. 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. The 25-year-old New Zealander says being in the dark about their opponents might help. 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. 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. '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. '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. 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.' 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. '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.'
Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Sesko transfer twist as Man Utd and Newcastle learn separate deal isn't happening
Manchester United and Newcastle United have both been pursuing Benjamin Sesko, but one move that could have thwarted a transfer is now understood to be off the cards Manchester United and Newcastle United's hopes of signing Benjamin Sesko were handed a boost, as his RB Leipzig team-mate Lois Openda will not be making a move to Sunderland. The Red Devils and the Magpies have been hot on the heels of Sesko in recent weeks. Amidst these rumours, it was frequently suggested RB Leipzig's Openda – who has previously been linked with United – was on the Black Cats' radar. As a fellow forward, if Sunderland had managed to secure Openda's services, it would have made the task of signing Sesko even more challenging. Leipzig would likely be reluctant to let go of both their strikers in August. However, in a positive turn of events for United and Eddie Howe's side, Openda will not be joining Sunderland. The newly promoted side are understood to not be interested in the Belgian. Sky Sports have confirmed the Black Cats, who have been busy in the transfer window, will not be making an approach for Openda. With him staying put, Ole Werner's side will surely be more open to offers for Sesko. Newcastle were the first to make a move for the striker, putting forward a bid just shy of £70m, as reported by the Chronicle. This offer was swiftly turned down by Leipzig, who are hoping for a bidding war among interested clubs. The Slovenian netted an impressive 22 goals across all competitions last season and is hailed as one of Europe's most promising talents. Recent reports from Slovenia hinted Sesko was edging towards a Newcastle switch, but it appears he's still weighing up his options. United have missed out on several targets this window, with Viktor Gyokeres, Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike opting for moves to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool respectively. Despite these setbacks, Ruben Amorim has bolstered his attack by securing the services of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. It's widely known that Amorim is on the hunt for a centre-forward to lead United's line. Last term, United's meagre haul of 44 Premier League goals was better only than Everton and the relegated trio of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton. On the departure front, United are keen to offload Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, having already loaned out Marcus Rashford to Barcelona. In contrast, United's Rasmus Hojlund is determined to stay put and compete for his place in the squad. Despite some flashes of brilliance, the Danish forward's performances haven't quite lived up to expectations since his £72m move from Atalanta in the summer of 2023. Hojlund said: "I think my plan is very clear and that's for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens. Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me. "I'm more than ready. I'm feeling sharp, so I'm welcoming everything that comes. I think it's good with competition and it only sharpens the team. "I'm still very young. I think people forget that sometimes. I'm only 22. Obviously, not every striker is scoring 100 goals at the age of 22. But I've learned a lot, I think you can see in my game." United were held to a 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday in the Premier League Summer Series across the pond in America. Amorim's men took the lead on two separate occasions courtesy of strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, yet the Merseysiders fought back each time through Iliman Ndiaye and an unfortunate own goal from Ayden Heaven. Their next match is at home to Fiorentina on Saturday.
Telegraph
7 minutes ago
- Telegraph
England vs India: Thirty five runs or four wickets to decide Oval Test thriller
04 August 2025 9:32am 9:32AM Stuart Broad hits out at 'lazy' decision to call stumps early Former England bowler Stuart Broad led the criticism of the officials after a thrilling fifth Test was left in suspense overnight because of bad light and rain despite being on the brink of a finish. England will return on day five needing just 35 runs while India need four wickets, but many fans leaving the Oval felt that play was called off too soon. After players were called off the field for a period of bad light, a downpour left the field sodden and stumps were called just after 6pm, even though play could have resumed as late as 6.42pm and continued for at least an hour. 9:27AM Day four highlights 𝗨 𝗡 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗧 𝗘 𝗥 𝗘 𝗗 Another day of stunning play. It all comes down to the final day. — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2025 9:22AM It all comes down to this One final morning to cap off an epic series. 24 days of enthralling Test cricket that have gone one way and then another are in the bag and we have just one day (probably just morning!) remaining in the men's English Test summer. England require 35 more runs to win the fifth and final Test at The Oval, thus claiming the series 3-1 and at the same time securing their second-highest run chase ever. However India need four wickets to draw the series. A fifth day looked unlikely but bad light and rain prevented a finish on day four, which drew some criticism from some of the media and fans. England looked to be cruising to victory, chasing down a mammoth 374, with Harry Brook and Joe Root in fine form. Brook blasted a magnificent hundred and Root secured his 39 th Test century to put England in a commanding position. However a fightback from India in the evening session gave the tourists hope of salvaging a drawn series. The weather though prevented a finish on day four, meaning we are set for a grandstand finish this morning. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special after the fourth day's play, Root backed his team to get over the line. 'It is quite a fitting end for how the rest of the series has gone. It has ebbed and flowed all of the way through and this Test is exactly same. We are in for a cracker, we are in a good position. We have another heavy roller available. Things might happen quicker with new ball, it might be easier to score. A lot of things are in our favour. We have so much ability left in the dressing room and clearly they have had a good passage of play but Monday [today] could be a real good opportunity to get across the line. I was really frustrated because I missed out, it was really disappointing to not still be there tonight [last night] and get us over the line. But we are still in a really good position, a lot of batting left and the two guys out there are very capable of seeing us home. It has been one hell of a series, one hell of a journey and we have the confidence in our dressing room. Despite suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder, Chris Woakes may well drag his battered body down the pavilion steps to bat should he be needed, which England will hope is not the case. 'You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He is all in, like the rest of us,' said Root. 'Clearly, he is in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him and it just shows the character and the person that he is, that he is willing to put his body on the line like that for England. If it does come to that, hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.' Jamie Smith will resume this morning on two not out whilst Jamie Overton is yet to get off the mark. Strap yourselves in for an exhilarating hour or so's play this morning. Will England win to wrap up the series or can India salvage a draw? Play from The Oval gets under way at 11am.
