Bleiberg eyeing new ‘Golden Boot’ for Gold Coast United

Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg is after a new ‘Golden Boot’ star following the departure of striker Shane Smeltz.

The two-time A-League leading goalscorer has left United to take up a potential contract with Turkish Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi and Bleiberg is hoping to find an apt replacement as soon as possible.

"I will go to the shop and buy another Golden Boot,” he told Fox Sports.

"Look, it's an enormous task but I have the full faith in our young players.

"What we will miss in experience, slickness and quality we might get with pace, determination and whoever we get as a replacement.

"One king went, maybe another king will come."

Although the Smeltz deal is not yet done, Bleiberg was confident it would go through and says the club will have to move on without him.

“I assume so. I think he was smart enough after that experience in China, to make sure he is protected from all angles," he added.

"For his sake I would like to think it is a deal done.

"Unless he finds what he was promised is not what he is going to get if you know what I mean.

"It is what everyone expected. For us it is a big loss but not big news."