The search for Besart Berisha's replacement has already begun after the star striker vowed to have a Brisbane Roar farewell to remember before defecting to the Melbourne Victory.
Roar coach Mike Mulvey said he was "scouring the world" in search of the man with the unenviable task of filling the big shoes left by ex-A-League Golden Boot winner Berisha at season's end.
In the meantime, Berisha aims to go out with a bang after claiming he is "fully committed" to racking up yet another championship for the Roar before departing.
Mulvey said there'd been no fallout amongst players after Berisha accepted the Victory's "massive" two-year deal to become their international marquee player - and predicted Roar fans would react the same way.
"We have a great relationship. At the end of the season we will have a hug and hope to do it with some silverware," Mulvey said.
"We tried to convince him as much as we could but money talks.
"He has looked me in the eyes and promised to give 100 per cent for the Roar for the rest of the season - I believe that and I am sure the fans will as well.
"He wants another championship and he knows he has a role to play.
"The team is so united now. They have accepted Besart's decision and they have moved on."
Brisbane will get a glimpse of life after Berisha in Friday night's Suncorp Stadium clash with Wellington.
The extrovert marksman will miss the game due to suspension.
He is again sidelined after missing almost half of the Roar's games to date due to injury.
However, the Roar are still five points clear on top of the A-League ladder.
"I think Roar fans will agree with me that we have shown some real quality when Besart has not been available and proven that there is light at the end of the tunnel - it's a beaming light," Mulvey said.
He did not appreciate the Victory trumpeting Berisha's signing on Wednesday.
"We would have preferred to keep it quiet given the focus should always be on the team and there is a game tomorrow night," he said.
"It is unfortunate that we weren't able to do that, but it wasn't of our making."
Mulvey also lamented the salary cap restricting a club to one international and an Australian marquee player.
The Roar have welcomed back Corey Brown and James Donachie (Olyroos) but have lost Ivan Franjic (stomach) with McKay (leg) and Liam Miller (hamstring) in doubt.
Share
