Tim Cahill is desperate to build on last season at Everton

Jun 21 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

TIM CAHILL has revealed his burning desire to help Everton build on last season’s achievements.

The Australian midfielder is back at Finch Farm stepping up the recovery from the foot problems that have plagued him for the past 15 months and that forced him to miss the climax of Everton’s season.

Now Cahill is determined to play his part in ensuring that a European run is not just a one-off and help bring a long-awaited trophy to Goodison Park.

Everton got to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and were one penalty shoot-out away from a famous victory over Fiorentina, while eventual winners Zenit St Petersburg had already been beaten by David Moyes’s side in the group stages.

“Going out of Europe to Fiorenitna was a joke,” said Cahill. “Then the team we had already beaten in the competition won it so it shows our potential. So let’s see how we go about capitalising on it.

“Europe was our reward for working so hard but this year it’s not a reward it’s part of the furniture. We now have the experience to take ourselves to that next level.”

Everton gave themselves another crack at the UEFA Cup by finishing fifth in the Premier League and Cahill is confident he will be primed for action when the new campaign gets under way in eight weeks’ time.

“I’m eager to go,” he said on evertontv. “I’m looking forward to trying to recapture what we had last season, it was exceptional.

“It was basically the same squad of players and a few additions but people played out of their skins and that’s what you need to do.

“It just went to show the way we stick together and the type of team we are. We lost players like myself and Mikel (Arteta) but we stuck at it and finished fifth and we can build in the experience of last year.”

“The operation was a success, but I’m playing everything by ear,” Cahill added.

“I’ve been working hard four times a week and having more treatment.

“So the biggest thing for myself is just taking my time and not trying to rush it. I will just train hard and wait for them to give me the all clear.

“But I seem to get injured towards the end of a season so it’s a blessing in disguise that can do my rehab in the summer and that could enable me to be ready for part of the pre-season.

“But I can’t afford to set targets. I’ve broken it a few times and now I’ve had quite radical surgery.

“The good thing is I’m experienced in this part and I’ve kept myself really fit.

“Even if I can’t run I can still work out on the bikes and the machines and on other aspects of my game.”