Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka
PHIL JAGIELKA insists Everton’s players must rise to the challenge of playing without Tim Cahill next season.
The England defender was sad to see Cahill depart Merseyside, after the 32-year-old Aussie completed a move to New York Red Bulls on a three-and-a-half year contract yesterday.
Jagielka, 29, acknowledges that the Toffees will miss his former team-mate’s big-game impact, and he hopes someone else can step into Cahill’s shoes.
He said: “Hopefully we’ll have someone else to step up to the plate. We will miss him on and off the pitch. He came up with big performances in the most important games. He’s got the best record since the war in the derbies and I think Liverpool will be glad to see the back of him.
“He’ll definitely be missed. He’s been around here eight years and had some fantastic moments for the club.
“He was a quite close friend of mine, we spent a bit of time off the pitch doing stuff, but I’m sure we will see him again anyway.”
Jagielka, who is back in training after being given extra rest following his stint at the European Championships earlier this summer, was quick to praise Cahill’s commitment.
“You look back at the video clip of his goals, and while you might forget some of them, it really brings a smile to your face to watch them again,” he added.
“He put his heart and soul into the club and he’s now got a fantastic move to the MLS and a great team in the Red Bulls. Along with his wife and kids it should be a nice place to live.”
Jagielka was joined back at Finch Farm this week by Leighton Baines, who spent the summer alongside him with the England squad in Poland and Ukraine.
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