Celtic goalkeeper arrives at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on emergency loan deal as doubt over Musa Dibaga returning again this season
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have confirmed they have secured the services of goalkeeper Marcus Gill from Celtic on an emergency loan deal.
The 17-year-old, who has represented Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, is expected to start against Stenhousemuir in their League One clash on Saturday.
Caley Thistle have signed Gill as there is severe doubt over whether regular first team goalkeeper Musa Dibaga will play again this season.
The Gambian goalkeeper was forced off at half time last weekend in the 2-0 defeat against Kelty Hearts with a suspected hamstring injury.
Teenager Szymon Rebilas, who came through the Caley Thistle youth academy, made his first team debut as he came on as a substitute in the second half.
Gill is the second goalkeeper to arrive on emergency loan from Celtic this season. Aidan Rice arrived at Inverness for their match against Alloa Athletic last month when Dibaga was on international duty with Gambia.
Caley Thistle head coach Scott Kellacher said Dibaga was due to undergo a scan on Thursday to determine if he will play again this season.
But Dibaga is definitely out for Saturday’s clash with Stenhousemuir, with Gill expected to start.
He said: "Musa will get his scan, so we will have a clearer idea of where he's at for the coming weeks.
"We've got back-up for Saturday. Celtic have been really kind to help us out again with a goalkeeper.
"Musa will definitely be out for Saturday, there's no question of that.
"It's just a case of whether he will be out for the rest of the season, so it depends on the scan results.
"Aidan Rice, who we had here for a week from Celtic, has now become more involved in the Celtic first-team squad.
"Marcus Gill comes in and both those keepers have done really well for Celtic's B team. They've been heavily involved, and Celtic have high hopes for both keepers.”
Kellacher was full of praise for Rebilas coming on as a substitute goalkeeper in the second half last week against Kelty Hearts.
He believes that he will learn from the experience as he continues to develop as a player.
“We knew as we were going along that we would have to use everyone and the young lad did great.
“He was nervous as it was a massive occasion. The fans got behind him and that is what we are trying to do at the club.
“We are trying to get young boys through and get them into the system. It was not ideal the way it happened, but it is better being thrown into the deep end when you least expect it. He is a good goalkeeper and will learn a lot from the experience but he did great.”
Caley Thistle could effectively secure their place in League One next season if they beat Stenhousemuir on Saturday and Annan Athletic lose to champions Arbroath at Galabank.
Inverness are three points ahead of Annan in eighth place with three games remaining. But a vastly superior goal difference will secure Caley Thistle’s safety if both results go their way.
With Stenhousemuir still looking to secure their place in the Championship play-off, Kellacher is not expecting an easy task.
Speaking of Stenhousemuir, Kellacher said: “They have worked hard to get themselves in that position and it has been a massive achievement for them to get in there.
“We know it is hard enough going there in the best times. The last time down there was a tough game. We will need to be at our best.”
