PHIL JAGIELKA insists Everton’s players must rise to the challenge of playing without Tim Cahill next season.

The England defender was sad to see Cahill depart Merseyside, after the 32-year-old Aussie completed a move to New York Red Bulls on a three-and-a-half year contract yesterday.

Jagielka, 29, acknowledges that the Toffees will miss his former team-mate’s big-game impact, and he hopes someone else can step into Cahill’s shoes.

He said: “Hopefully we’ll have someone else to step up to the plate. We will miss him on and off the pitch. He came up with big performances in the most important games. He’s got the best record since the war in the derbies and I think Liverpool will be glad to see the back of him.

“He’ll definitely be missed. He’s been around here eight years and had some fantastic moments for the club.

“He was a quite close friend of mine, we spent a bit of time off the pitch doing stuff, but I’m sure we will see him again anyway.”

Jagielka, who is back in training after being given extra rest following his stint at the European Championships earlier this summer, was quick to praise Cahill’s commitment.

“You look back at the video clip of his goals, and while you might forget some of them, it really brings a smile to your face to watch them again,” he added.

“He put his heart and soul into the club and he’s now got a fantastic move to the MLS and a great team in the Red Bulls. Along with his wife and kids it should be a nice place to live.”

Jagielka was joined back at Finch Farm this week by Leighton Baines, who spent the summer alongside him with the England squad in Poland and Ukraine.

And Baines was equally disappointed to see Cahill leave. He said: “He’s going to go down as a bit of a legend really and rightly so,

“He’s been a great servant to the Club and had some massive moments over the years.

“Not only that but I think the fans took to him because he’d give you everything he’d got when you were on the pitch.

“So it’s sad to see Tim go but I think he can count on everyone’s best wishes.

“I’m sure he’s going to enjoy it out there. It’s great for him, a new adventure for Tim and his family and I’m sure it will be something he’ll relish.”

Cahill is only waiting on a Visa before he is able to start playing for his new club, but his former chairman Bill Kenwright admits it was hard to let him leave in a £1m deal.

“We accepted this offer for Tim with a heavy heart but it is a great way for him to end his Everton career,” he said.

“The transfer salutes Tim's unswerving commitment to our cause over the last eight years and also respects his desire never to play against Everton.

“On a personal level, I will miss the first ever player that David and I went to see together, and the wide-eyed bundle of energy that walked into my office a short time later and told me that Everton was his destiny. It was. And he now embarks on a new stage of his career with our heartfelt thanks, and of course our real best wishes for his future. I can guarantee New York Red Bulls will have many, many admirers cheering them on from across the Ocean. All wearing the Blue of Everton. Thank you Tim.”