Cahill represents the city with class

Everton legend Neville Southall believes that Tim Cahill deserves to be made an honorary scouser.

Cahill turns 32 next week and hasn’t scored in a Blue shirt for 24 games.

“He should be an honorary Scouser,” Southall claimed. “The lad plays like a Scouser, he represents the city with class. On the pitch he is aggressive, committed and niggly – a hard player in a hard city. But he’s also fair and a great ambassador for the club – just like a local lad.

“I’ve heard bits of criticism of him because he hasn’t scored this year, and he’ll be as annoyed about that as anyone else, but it’s ridiculous.I read that Messi got slaughtered by some Spanish newspapers because he hasn’t scored for a few games – it’s a joke. These are class players.

“Tim is still doing the same thing, making the same runs, and getting in defenders’ faces. The goals will be back. Andy Gray, Sharpie, players of that calibre all had lean spells in front of goal and then they’d hit five in six.

“For me Tim has got bits of them in him and a bit of Peter Reid as well. He’s the type of player you hate to play against, as an opponent you see him moaning like Heathie used to and it annoys you. Every team needs a moaner!

“Tim’s vastly under-rated and he has a big contribution defending back in his own area as well because he’s one of the best headers of a ball in the league.”