Tim Cahill warns Socceroos’ rising stars

May 31, 2016 7:03pm - TOM SMITHIES - The Daily Telegraph

BACK at the ground where he scored his first header, Tim Cahill has warned the pretenders to his role in the Socceroos that they will have to deliver consistently in order to be a success. Preparing to face Greece on Saturday in the first of Australia’s double header against the European side, Cahill admitted he is carrying a hamstring concern - and insisted he had “never closed the door” on a move to the A-League.

The veteran striker was at Mackey Park in Marrickville - where he played as a boy for the local Red Devils club - to unveil the installation of a defibrillator, part of the Heartbeat of Football scheme aiming to install one at every sports ground across New South Wales. Socceroos Bailey Wright and Tim Cahill's unveil a newly-installed defibrillator at Mackey Park, Marrickville, in Sydney.

Cahill admitted his frustration at missing last weekend’s 2-1 loss to England, in which Brisbane striker Jamie Maclaren made his debut. But Australia’s record goalscorer said anyone leading the line for the Socceroos had to carry the self-belief to be ruthless with any chances they get. Cahill will come off contract next month and is mulling over whether to re- sign with Hangzhou Greentown, join another Chinese club - or possibly seek a return to the A-League. Seemingly laying down a challenge to FFA boss David Gallop to open talks, Cahill said his future would be uncertain for a while. Tim Cahill won't rule out A-League future, but says an offer still hasn't come May 31, 2016 - 7:12PM - Sebastian Hassett - SMH The ambiguity around the club future of Tim Cahill continues to deepen, with the striker saying he's open to playing in the A-League – if only someone would make him an offer.

Cahill and Football Federation Australia have been at loggerheads in the past about getting the sport's most marketable name into the A-League, with the FFA saying they couldn't meet his demands and the player denying an offer was ever made. But with Cahill's six- month contract at Hangzhou Greentown about to expire, Australia's all-time leading scorer at international level says he's still weighing up his options.

Cahill spent Tuesday afternoon at his junior club, Marrickville Red Devils, where he unveiled the first defibrillator installed in NSW as a result of the Heartbeat of Football program, a campaign driven by former TV presenter Andy Paschalidis. "I played here as a kid in Mackey Park. I grew up in these areas, played for a lot of local clubs but this place here is where I scored my first header on that pitch over there," he said. "It's just nice I can be back in the country to launch [the program]." Tim Cahill drops hints to FFA over possible A-league stint MAY 31, 2016 - 6:50PM – NEWS.COM.AU

Socceroos players Tim Cahill, right, and Bailey Wright with a newly-installed defibrillator at Mackey Park in Sydney’s inner west. Picture: Brett Costello Tim Cahill’s playing future at club level might remain a mystery but the Socceroos legend says he isn’t closing the door on anything, including the possibility of a stint in the A-League. As feisty as ever at the age of 36, Cahill was quick to put the onus on Australian soccer officials, declaring it is not up to him to “push the button” while seemingly inviting Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop to make things happen. The Socceroos’ greatest goalscorer will finish his latest contract with Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown later this year, and there is plenty of conjecture over his next move. There are reports at least three Chinese clubs are looking at him, including one of the biggest and richest in the country, Shanghai SIPG, coached by former England coach Sven- Goran Eriksson. However, Cahill is in no hurry to make a decision, saying he is happy with Hangzhou Greentown. ”Look, the door is never closed on the A-League,” Cahill said yesterday after launching the Zapstand, a revolutionary Australia-made machine regarded as ”the world’s most sophisticated public debfrillator”. Cahill said he was proud to launch the defibrillator at Mackey Park in Marrickville, where he played many games as a junior. “ This is such a massive issue. We are losing fathers, brothers, uncles, sisters, children ... people dying playing the sport they love,” he said. “To have one here is fantastic. I remember I scored my first header just over there. “The thing is, we don’t want people to stop playing football but we need to raise awareness of just how amazing this machine is. It can save lives.” The man behind the idea is former football commentator Andy Paschalides, who has worked tirelessly to convince governments and councils to get involved in the project via the Heartbeat of Football organisation, which he created. While many clubs are now using portable defibrillators, the Zapstand is seen as a vital step up in that it is monitored 24 hours a day and can be used by anyone at any time. ”There is only one other of these in Sydney (Circular Quay) and ideally we would like one installed in as many places around the country,” Paschalides said.

TIM CAHILL @Tim_Cahill 20h20 hours ago Proud to be a part of this amazing initiative.Unveiling the first 24 hour community-based ZapStand defibrillator