Crusaders chief Declan Caddell has declared “I’m not going to be a manager that holds players back” with the search now on to replace goalkeeper Musa Dibaga following his move to Dunfermline Athletic.

Dibaga arrived at Seaview from Inverness Caledonian Thistle ahead of last season and made 18 Premiership appearances.

The 26-year-old played a key role in helping the Crues preserve their top flight status, saving penalties in both normal time and a shoot-out victory over Annagh United as Caddell’s side won a promotion/relegation play-off.

With former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey retiring this summer and Dibaga departing, Caddell will now set his sights on signing a new shot-stopper ahead of next season.

placeholder image — Crusaders manager Declan Caddell. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Dunfermline are managed by ex-Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon and have previously looked to the Irish League with Shea Kearney and Callumn Morrison joining the Pars last season before Kian Corbally made a move this summer.

Caddell is in charge of the Premiership’s youngest squad with a host of talented stars arriving from Scotland in recent windows, and the Crues boss insists he wants to see them all pushing on like Dibaga.

"We highlighted Musa last year to come in, I can’t speak highly enough of him,” he told the club’s media channel. “It probably took him a while to settle, but he kept us in the league.

"He’s earned his move. With these players we’re bringing over from England, Scotland or our youth, that’s the platform.

"You want them to come in, want them to stand out and to perform in big moments, which Musa did. He has got the attention he deserves.

"I’m not going to be a manager that holds players back, never. If there’s a platform for them to push on and better their career and lives, I will always accommodate that.

"He’s a great lad and difficult to replace. You’re going back a couple of weeks and you have your team and goalkeepers, all of a sudden then that changes. I’m going to have to go and find another.

"They are (big boots to fill). We brought Musa in because we know he can deliver in big moments and that’s very difficult for a goalkeeper.

"He makes match-winning saves, whether it’s for a point or three or to keep you in the league, that’s what he has in his locker.

"He’s difficult to replace, every player is difficult to replace, but he’ll go down as a cult hero. He did the business and he can walk away with his head held high onto bigger and better things.”

Rian Brown has returned to Crusaders after the 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Newington and Caddell feels a Championship spell has helped him develop.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s goalkeeper or any other position, it’s best man wins,” he added. “If you’re performing, you stay in.

"Rian Brown has went away and got 40 games under his belt in the Championship. He comes back as a better goalkeeper, better person, more professional.

"The things we asked him to work on he has worked on...I thought he was excellent (against Queen of the South). It’s really good to have him back in the building.”