As if Australian football doesn’t have enough to deal with, six weeks after he dramatically left Melbourne City and the A-League in search of more game time, Tim Cahill is still searching the world for a club that will give him some.
This week, after a dearth of news other than a puff profile in GQ, came word of a potential return to the club that started his journey, Millwall.
No sooner was the link announced than it was denied by the club, and now the rumour is that he is touting his wares to struggling clubs in Scotland.
Cahill is not doing himself or Australian football any favours by remaining clubless and gameless, as his search increasingly resembles James Troisi’s farcical around-the-world club search.
This weekend will mark the seventh week and ninth game of football Cahill might have played had he stayed in Australia, whether he had bitten his lip and stayed at City or moved to an Adelaide, Central Coast, Brisbane or Wellington.
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As he now looks for a Lucas Neill style ‘three month get fit for the World Cup’ contract, I alternate between a hope he can make the cut for Russia and the hope that the new coach will have the cojones to say, “Time’s up mate.”
Because Tim, you’re not doing yourself any favours.
Should he get through a dozen games unscathed with Hibernian, Hearts or even Crawley Town, he will likely make the trip to Russia. But with no playing time over the busiest part of the year, it’s 50-50 whether he can withstand the rigours to get there.
An underdone or injury-affected Cahill should not displace another with World Cup aspirations.
I hope Tim can find his groove, wherever he ends up. But has his decision to leave the A-League and Australia affected his chances for Russia?
Tommo
Guest
Tim who?
Kanga Schillachi
Guest
Kris I think Cahill would have suited the mariners or Wanderers, but I think his wage requirements might have scared clubs off . Originally I thought he would end up at Sydney and Matt Simon would leave , but that didn’t happen. Maybe he thinks China or the mls will meet his wages??
bobbym
Guest
Crawley Town?
Pablo
Roar Rookie
There is plenty of space in the lower half of the UK championship teams, who need a quality goal scorer, like Timmy. i.e. Burton Albion where Jackson Irvine played last season, or even Hull, where he is now.. Not a lot of money to spend with some community type clubs, and struggling to stay in the Championship. They would love his ability, if price is right, and Timmy would get his game time and a fourth World Cup, and they would avoid relegation! Everyone is Happy!
Kris
Guest
That Australia's best forward is not good enough to start in the A-League or seemingly any other league tells you all you need to know about where we are at.
Mick
Guest
He's never let us down yet, unbelievably professional, if he says he's ready, he's ready
Jim
Guest
Hahaha Timmy Cahill to replace Wenger as Arsenal boss - you read it all on here :P
reuster75
Guest
You wonder how much impact Postecoglu's decision to quit had on Tim's decision to leave City. If Ange had stayed could easily see a scenario whereby Tim was still picked in the squad even with the a-league finishing late April/early May as you know with his level of professionalism he'd stay in good shape physically. After all he wouldn't be needed to play full 90 minutes in every match (maybe start him againt Denmark or Peru but bring him on as sub in the other games). But with it unknown who the new coach would be guess he couldn't take that risk.
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
I agree Tim needs weekly game time to keep his match fitness he is quite fit and looks after himself.I think he would be an asset in Russia he certainly would not be the oldest player ever to play in a World Cup.I guess it depends on his asking price he may be asking too much for clubs that do not want to pay a lot for a 38 year old player.So Tim could retire, do a coaching course and offer his services perhaps an A league club would like or Premier League for example Arsenal who need to replace A.Wenger who loses too many games..
striker
Guest
probaly best if he retires as i can't see an overseas coach picking him at 38 unless it is Arnold who gets the job.
Realfootball
Guest
The parallels with Lucas Neill are uncanny. I suspect the result will the same, too. There was a reason he wasn't playing at City. He can't give up the spotlight, but the spotlight has given up on him.
Midfielder
Guest
Huge gamble taken by Tim when he left and I don't think he is allowed to play in the A-League as part of the agreement I sincerely hope that he finds something but feel deep down he took a huge gamble and maybe its backfired on him
At work
Roar Rookie
There is no comparison between what Cahill is doing and what James Troisi did, Cahill wants regular match play, whereas Troisi seemed to go round the world trying to extract higher and higher salaries, eventually coming back to Victory where (im memory serves me right) took less money then they originally offered him. Also Timmy doesn't owe Australian football anything, if anything we owe him. Anyway goods luck to him finding a club and getting game time, will be interesting if the new Australian manager is interested in a 38yr old