Elijah Just’s rise from Austrian second tier to World Cup breakout star

Just’s rise is all the more remarkable because he previously played under Askou at Horsens and struggled under the Dane.

He had spoken, external about the coach’s more direct approach prior to coming to Scotland. Last term, that style evolved into some of the finest football seen from a Scottish non-Old Firm side in years.

On the ball and off it, Just was integral to that success, passing the eye test while also backing it up with impressive numbers.

Compared with fellow attacking midfielders in the Premiership last season, only Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren had a higher combined goals and assists tally.

Only three players managed more shots on target per 90 minutes, while just one created more big chances.

He ranked third for successful dribbles, second for tackles, fourth for recoveries and sixth for interceptions.

“He’s a pure footballer,” former Hibernian and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan told BBC Scotland.

“He’s quite slight, but his awareness, ability to play in tight areas and hurt you is brilliant. Forget the stats – on the eye test, he’s been absolutely outstanding.

“He takes touches away from pressure, he has a picture of what he wants to do and he’s really fit, so he runs off people a lot.

“The awareness of when to play one-touch, when to play two-touch and then having the creativity in the final third.”