Cahill dedicates form to missing duo

By Stephen Eighteen
March 28 2004

Tim Cahill says that any success Millwall achieve this season will be dedicated to the memories of Richard Sadlier and Ray Harford.

Tim Cahill says that any success Millwall achieve this season will be dedicated to the memories of Richard Sadlier and Ray Harford.

Since the retirement of Sadlier in September, Lions midfielder Cahill has been the club’s longest serving player, and credits coach Ray Harford, who died in August, as a major reason behind his outstanding form in recent months.

The Australian believes the duo’s contribution was so great that it can motivate the players in their ambition to achieve promotion to the Premiership and a place in the FA Cup Final for the first time in the club’s history.

Cahill told Southwark News: “There are no words to describe how bad the feeling was to lose Ray Harford and to have Richard Sadlier retiring. But it’s good to see something good happening to the club in their memory.

“Without a doubt, everyone would dedicate any success we get to them. Even if we don’t do well we try to work hard for people like that who have put a lot into the club.

“I have been very lucky. Seven months of injuries is all I’ve had in my career, and compared to what Sads went through, there’s no better spur to do well.

“Ray Harford did a lot of work for me, He coached, talked and always gave me inside information on the opposition. He was unbelievable, and is up there with one of the best men I have ever worked for.”

Sunday’s 4-1 destruction of West Ham was Millwall’s tenth win in thirteen matches, but the 24-year-old, whose derby double put his goals tally into double figures for the season, feels the team can improve yet further.

“I’d say that when we got promoted we had a great team with Steven Reid and Sadlier, but we’re up there now, and can only get stronger.

“As long as we keep it going we have a great chance to be a better team. We don’t rest on our laurels.

"We seem to kick on and try to get the most out of what we can. We have always been a strong unit that works hard for each other, and we don’t cheat.

“We are honest lads who do their best even though we don’t have superstars here.”

The midfielder, who is expected to win his first cap for Australia in next Tuesday’s friendly with South Africa at Loftus Road, missed out on clinching his first professional hat trick on Sunday, when his 62nd minute spot kick flew off target.

“I put the ball down and knew exactly what I was going to do. I aimed for the top corner and spanked it, but should have gone hard and low like I normally do.

“If I get another penalty, people may not be pleased to see me take it, but I would not shirk the responsibility.

“My second goal was up there with the best I’ve scored. I have been doing a lot of work with Ray Wilkins, where he has been telling me to relax when I get in good oppositions and to take it in my stride.

“And that’s what I did. It was all about relaxing.”