Millwall boss on transfer link to Lions fans’ favourite Tim Cahill

By Richard Cawley

Millwall manager Neil Harris has described talk of a Den return for Tim Cahill as “a million miles away”.

The Australian international is a free agent after leaving Melbourne City early in December and wants game time to secure his spot in the Socceroos’ squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Cahill, who turned 38 in December, is a huge Lions fans’ favourite

and scored 52 goals in 217 appearances before leaving for Everton in 2004.

The Sydney-born attacker played alongside Harris during his time with the South London club.

“Tim is a mate of mine,” said Harris. “Of course I speak to him about football.

“What his next stage is in football – and whether that involves Millwall – is a million miles away.

“It is a natural link – but that’s as far as it’s gone at the moment.”

Cahill – speaking to the South London Press in April 2016 about his autobiography Legacy – said: “From the first day I came to my first training session, with Paul Ifill, Millwall to me was the Bernabeu. Out on the pitch at The Den, having come from Australia, and being told I was never going to make it.

“Being at Millwall was the best thing that ever happened to me in football. The moments there were the most enjoyable in my career.

“Millwall fans know – it is not about how big you are, it is how big your heart is. Do you have the desire and the passion to play for the badge?

“A lot of people see what can come from being in the game, but don’t know how much you have to put in.”

Asked then about a future SE16 return, Cahill replied: “My journey has been amazing and it is still not over.”

Millwall’s priority is to bring in a centre-back and winger – both on loan.

“I’m a frustrated manager,” said Harris. “Absolutely nothing is close. There is a brick wall to the left of me – and I want to run into it head-first.”