Stephen Baxter was full of praise for new boy Jimmy Callacher as Crusaders kick started the new campaign with another trophy.
Callacher has been on Baxter's wanted list for the last few years and he finally got his man this summer after his departure from Linfield.
The experienced defender's qualities are renowned throughout the Irish League and he showed exactly what he is all about in Saturday's Charity Shield win over League champions Larne.
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Second half goals from Jarlath O'Rourke and James Teelan made it back-to-back shield wins for the Crues, who were the better team throughout.
Baxter hailed the performance of Callacher saying he will "fit in nicely" at Seaview.
“We have tried to sign Jimmy about four times in the last seven or eight years and thankfully he has decided to come," said the Crues boss.
"He showed what an excellent player he is, I thought he was magnificent.
“He shows great balance and holds the team together well, he will fit in nicely with us."
Both sides made bright starts to the game at Inver Park but things tailed off as we headed towards half-time.
However, it burst into life again four minutes after the restart as O'Rourke burst into the box to flick home a header from a cross by another Crues new boy, Lloyd Anderson.
Larne brought on Lee Bonis to try and inject some life into their attack, and he thought he had levelled things up with 15 minutes to go, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
It was Crusaders who netted again before the end and it was another debutant who rounded off an impressive performance.
A swift breakaway saw Ross Clarke race away down the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Teelan to slot home from close range.
While Baxter was pleased to see his side come away with the win, he was more happy with the workout with their Europa Conference League first qualifying tie against FC Haka less than a fortnight away.
“The result was a bonus but this game was all about fitness and us gelling again as a football team and getting as much as we could out of a game against a top class side," he said.
“Our passing and communication is important as we need to gel with Europe in mind and that huge game.
"The result wasn't the be all and end all, it was about getting the football perspective fitting in to what our needs are going into this massive game of football in a couple of weeks time.
"No matter if it’s tiddlywinks you are playing, it is always nice to win."
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