Cahill back to his best

Leo Spall13 April 2012

Millwall manager Mark McGhee believes star midfielder Tim Cahill is getting back to his best after transfer talk affected his form.

The 22-year-old failed to produce the quality performances he is capable of in the first three games this season and it was no coincidence his side picked up only one point.

McGhee thinks that speculation over Cahill's future was a factor and his ambition, plus interest from Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor, put him off his game.

But the Australian-born player appeared to have put that all behind him as he drove Millwall on from midfield against Ipswich last Saturday and helped them collect their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw.

McGhee expects another allaction display from Cahill at Sheffield United tonight.

He said: "I think he was unsettled by all the speculation but he has put that out of his system now.

"People were telling him that he should have left us for the Premiership by now and his head was not right.

"But when he faced Republic of Ireland international Matt Holland against Ipswich, who have just come down from the top flight, he certainly did not look out of place.

I think that he realises that the offthe-field stuff will sort itself out and he just has to get on with playing.

"If he is performing as well as he can it is to everybody's benefit.

"He is not saying that he wants to leave but I have told him that if another club comes in for him with an offer that is right for us we would not stand in his way."

Millwall are prepared to sell Cahill to raise much-needed transfer funds but are unlikely to accept an offer below £4.5 million.

Villa have made enquiries about him but have not made a bid even though Taylor wants another central midfielder and an attempt to buy Holland from Ipswich is looking doomed.

Cahill said: "It is good the speculation seems to be over because it has been difficult. Now I can just get on with my football."