A-League: Tim Cahill ready for fiery Melbourne derby debut

The veteran Socceroos striker is expecting boos when he steps out for Melbourne City against Victory.

Melbourne City’s Tim Cahill with a sand sculpture of himself to launch the FoxSports coverage of the A-League season. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Melbourne City superstar Tim ­Cahill is fit and keen to be on the field from the opening whistle for his A-League debut against Melbourne Victory.

The 36-year-old, a substitute for the Socceroos in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Japan, wants to start in what promises to be a ­heated local derby at Etihad ­Stadium on Saturday night.

“Everybody loves to start, especially in these games. Our intent for this game ... will be pretty clear after the first five minutes,” the veteran striker said yesterday at the Fox Sports A-League launch.

“I’ve been doing extras in (Socceroos) camp and the physios have been all over me, but I woke up fine — I didn’t do too much physically (against Japan).

“I’m like any other player — if you leave me out there for 90 minutes, I’ll play. But that’s something I’m going to leave in their hands.

“But I feel great; I honestly do feel good. I felt (good) mobility-wise and football-wise ... I couldn’t be happier.”

Cahill’s last domestic game on home soil was in 1997 with Sydney United. He’s been a local crowd favourite throughout his 94-game career with the Socceroos but is expecting a much different reception on Saturday.

The fixture is the Victory’s home game and he’s ready for what is in store. “The derby is going to be exciting ... I think it’s going to be my first taste of Australian supporters booing me,” he said. “But it’s to be expected.

“I’m not expecting a nice welcome. I’m not expecting them to give me a clap in the same way they didn’t when I played at Liverpool when I played there (with Everton).

“But that’s football. That’s the beauty of the game that we play — it comes with the territory. There’s only one way that I quiet any fan ... and that’s through my football.”

AAP