Cahill can't rule out Reebok exit

09 October 2009 06:59
Cahill has been linked with a number of top clubs across Europe in recent months and has also attracted the attention of England boss Fabio Capello, who has now called up the defender three times. The 23-year-old is delighted with how things are going for him, but admits a move away from Bolton could materialise in the future if a "big club" firms up their interest. He said: "Being linked with top clubs gives you a boost. It has got to do. It shows how far I've come. But, although it is nice to read positive things about yourself, I don't like to dwell on that. "There is nothing that is going to happen at this stage of the season anyway and it is a matter of just getting my head down for Bolton and keep trying to put in the performances that have got me here. "I had two years left of my contract at Bolton and I just extended it by a year. It was a big decision but it wasn't because I was happy playing my football there. "I've been comfortable since I've been there, I've settled in the area so things were still progressing the way that I would like them to progress. "In the future, who knows what is going to happen? If a big club comes in, there is not going to be a problem with that but at the moment I am enjoying my time at Bolton and have done since I've been there. "I've still got a lot to learn but I'm enjoying my football." Cahill joined Bolton from Aston Villa for £5million in January 2008 and believes Martin O'Neill may now regret letting him go. He said: "It was a shame I moved on but I knew I had to. I made the decision and, once you make that, you go forward. I'm at Bolton now and continuing my career. "Did O'Neill made a mistake in letting me go? He is a great manager. Maybe ask him that question. But everyone makes mistakes from time to time. "He has moved on and brought in some centre-halves who are doing well so there are no hard feelings. "He never shoved me out of the door. I spoke with him a few times. It was just at that time, he couldn't guarantee me playing week in and week out, which is what I wanted to do. "I can't do anything when I'm sitting on the bench. I've improved a lot since my days at Villa through playing week in and week out." Gary Megson did not have to fight off much competition to sign Cahill at the time, and the 23-year-old is grateful to the manager for getting his career on track. He said: "When he paid £5million, eyebrows might have been raised at the time. People were thinking, 'what has this lad done?' so he took a chance on that. It was gamble. "The fee is something you've got no control over. The fee is agreed and then you go but it was still a chance he was taking to put me in as a first-choice centre-back. "He has done brilliantly for me and, since I've been there, he has been outstanding and I'm learning and improving with the work he and (head coach) Steve Wigley do on the training pitch." Meanwhile Cahill has vowed to carry on working hard as he bids to secure a place at the World Cup finals next summer. He added: "The manager has spoken to me and said some encouraging things. When he comes to watch games, all you can hope is that you impress him. "When you meet up like this, you are under his nose every day for a week or more and it is a chance to try and make a further impression. "It would be a dream to go to a World Cup, a dream for every player, and I'm no different but you just have to keep working hard." To Be In England World Cup 2010 Squad Yes: Cahill G 5/4  

Source: Team_Talk