Former Crusaders defender Howard Beverland insists “you can't put a price on a goalscorer” with Fraser Bryden’s exploits proving pivotal in avoiding automatic Premiership relegation – but knows his old club will have a tough task to retain his services beyond this season.

Scottish striker Bryden brought his league goal tally to an impressive 22 in 35 matches by scoring a decisive winner in the recent crucial clash at Glenavon – a result which ultimately relegated the Lurgan Blues.

Bryden entered his maiden Irish League campaign as an unknown quantity, arriving at Seaview on a two-year contract from Ayr United, but now has a host of clubs chasing his signature. The 21-year-old was the subject of interest from England during the January transfer window and that will continue to ramp up this summer.

Bryden has stepped up at a crucial time for Declan Caddell’s side, netting twice in a 4-0 win over Portadown before scoring against Glenavon. Beverland, who won a Premiership title with the Crues, was happy to see the North Belfast club take a step closer to preserving top-flight status and highlighted Bryden’s importance.

placeholder image — Crusaders striker Fraser Bryden celebrates scoring against Glenavon. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

"You can't put a price on a goalscorer and it mightn't have even been a contest if it wasn't for Fraser Bryden over the season,” he said ahead of Crusaders facing Championship runners-up Annagh tonight and Friday over a two-leg promotion/relegation play-off. “That'll be another story now trying to hang onto him, it'll be very tough. By all accounts he's a great personality and a lot of clubs will be keen to bring him in.

"They've gone a long way to securing their safety. I think they'll have enough to get past Annagh in the play-off. For Championship teams, one-off games over 90 minutes gives them a better chance, but with two legs, the Premiership team usually prevail.

"They've had a bounce too whereas Annagh are totally the opposite, they've unfortunately fallen off a bit.

"I actually think that late equaliser against Bangor (1-1, April 7) has been a massive spark for them. You had the Portadown game where they've scored four goals and kept a clean sheet, and then they beat Glenavon.

"You look at them being unbeaten in three games...a goal in the 95th minute has sparked belief and it gives a coaching team something to draw on and say 'look at this result'. They didn't have many points before this run so it could be hard for a manager to try and instil some confidence.

"They've got it out of them eventually and when it matters most. There will be a feel-good factor in the changing room and that makes a big difference...now they need to finish the job."

Beverland’s former team-mate Caddell has had a challenging start to his managerial career – the 38-year-old was tasked with rebuilding largely a new squad this season having lost several experienced stars.

"Declan will have learnt a lot,” added Beverland. “Whether his hands are tied in terms of budget, there's a lot of talk about that, Declan has had to take on a squad in transition. Crusaders had the oldest average age and they've had to think about the future with Declan rebuilding a new team with a potentially limited budget.

"He will certainly feel he has proven a lot of doubters wrong, which will be a good feeling for him.”