29 Jan Harper: Cahill has ‘sparkle in his eye’ about Millwall return

Image via millwallfc.co.uk 

Tim Cahill’s move back to Millwall could be part of a “beautiful finish” to his wonder career, according to Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper.

The Socceroos legend had been without a club since departing Melbourne City last month, but is re-joining the club for whom he played 251 matches before leaving for Everton in 2004.

Harper told SEN Breakfast that he’s “very excited” about the news.

“I stumbled across Timmy at a Melbourne City game a couple of weeks ago and he had a sparkle in his eye and he said there is exciting news coming,” he said.

“If this goes to plan, this will be the most rounded, the most symmetrical, the most beautiful finish to a career.”

A lack of game time was considered to be one of the reasons behind Cahill’s departure from Melbourne City, but Harper says there are no guarantees at Millwall under manager Neil Harris.

“Millwall are sitting 15th place in the championship, they are 14 points off a playoff position and only eight or nine points clear of relegation,” he explained.

“So it’s a big call. A big call for him to get game time. But if he does and he gets into the World Cup and he’s scores in this next World Cup, that will be the curtain on the most incredible career.”

Securing a place in new coach Bert van Marwijk’s Socceroos squad for the upcoming World Cup is one of the reasons behind of Cahill’s move back to Milwall, and Harper believes that if he gets game time – and can hit the back of the net – he will be on the plane to Russia.

“God knows what Bert’s going to look for,” Harper joked.

“The initial feelings are that that his style is going to be completely different from Ange’s (Postecoglou).

“Everyone’s looking for a goalscorer and when push came to shove, there weren’t many consistently looking to put their hand up the way Tim did for the Socceroos. It’s a big issue for the national team finding one of the younger guys to come through and pick up that mantle.

“If he gets game time and finger crossed can scores a few goals for Millwall, it will be impossible for van Marwijk to leave him out.”

Harper said that Cahill’s Socceroos teammates would love to him join them at the World Cup.

“The guy is a huge presence. He is immensely popular.”

Originally published on SEN.com.au

SEN Breakfast with Garry & Tim airs from 6am-9am, Monday to Friday on SEN 1116.