Retired Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thompson says Melbourne City’s impending signing of Socceroos star Tim Cahill will be a welcome “injection” for the A-League.
Speaking on the Daily Football Show on Monday afternoon, Thompson said his former Socceroo roommate is an ideal fit for Melbourne City and the A-League.
“To have him come into our league, especially when it needs it because cause I tell you, the A-League needs an injection. Especially in the past couple of years, it has gone flat,” he said.
“Hopefully Timmy can be that little X-Factor the league needs to give it a boost again.”
Without explicitly mentioning the club’s name throughout the interview, Thompson said Cahill would provide the ultimate marketing tool for City.
“To be honest they (Melbourne City) have always played second fiddle to our club,” he said.
“I think he (Cahill) still has a lot to contribute football wise. In terms of marketing, sponsorship and bringing people to that club, he would be great for that. When you look at what he has done on an international level and overseas, he has been phenomenal.”
“There has been a lot of us since day one who have pretty much started and created in 11 years what the A-League is today. I hope he doesn’t come in and think he is just going to do it in one year the bugger!”
“He has already stolen my goal celebration, hopefully he doesn’t steal ‘Mr A-League’ from me!”
The former Socceroo has agreed to play for Heidelberg United for the rest of the National Premier League season and told the Daily Football Show team he was raring to go for his first hit-out on the weekend.
“Yeah it has been in the press and everyone sort of jumped the gun a little bit, thinking I was signed two months ago,” he said.
“It’s finally across the line and I get to play a game Sunday. I’m hoping everyone gets along, whether you are a Melbourne Victory supporter or a Heidelberg supporter, not only for myself but for the team who are doing really well.”
“I don’t want to come in and take away from what they have done all year.”
“Being part of a family club and it’s after training and there are lamb spits. Everyone is together and that is what it was like when I was growing up and it’s great to have that back.”
Jokingly telling the boys that he would be ‘paid in lamb’ by the Warriors, when asked whether his deal did not included tracking back to help defensively, his reply: “Certainly bloody hope so!”
The former Melbourne Victory star is set to make his Heidelberg debut next Sunday 14 August in the yellow and black’s final home game of the season against Oakleigh Cannons at the historic Olympic Village.
Listen to the hilarious interview below:
