Millwall boss praises “sharp” Cahill ahead of potential Lions debut

Millwall boss Neil Harris has spoken about the role he sees Tim Cahill playing with the Lions and a potential debut for the club this weekend.

Cahill spoke with the media on Friday (AEDT) ahead of the Millwall’s trip to Reading this weekend.

The 38-year-old, who re-joined Millwall - his first professional club - this week, has had a couple of training sessions this week and could be in the squad to face the Royals at the Madejski Stadium.

“Naturally, it will be starting role on the bench and coming on to impact the game,” Harris said of his new signing.

“But after that it’s the best man for the shirt, regardless of age.

“The Championship is a great league. Yes, it is fast and physical but you need quality.

“You need to understand how to play in certain roles and Tim has certainly got that in abundance.”

Asked what position Cahill will play for Millwall, Harris said: “First and foremost Timmy’s not the box-to-box midfielder he was the last time he played England.

“He knows that, I know that. He will play further forward.

“If you get the ball in the box he scores goals, he’s done that throughout his career.  The timing of the runs, the contact on the ball.

“Fitness wise he’s looked really sharp in the training in the couple of sessions he’s done. He’s getting those minutes up, the kilometres in the legs and he’s keen to make sure he’s ready.”

He added: "His opportunity will come sooner rather than later."

Tim Cahill was presented to the fans at Millwall's home clash in midweek.

Cahill is back at the club that gave him his start in professional football as a teenager back in 1998.

He spent six successful seasons at the Den, and now back for the first time in 14 years, Australia’s greatest-ever scorer is motivated to repay their faith in him.

“There’s not many games left in my body, but I’m going to make the last 30-odd games of my life the best,” Cahill said.

“The project now is how I can give something back to the club that made me.

 “There was no negotiation with Neil. It was just making sure that everyone was comfortable. What I learnt growing up at Millwall has never left me. You are just thankful for every opportunity.”