Everton legend Tim Cahill has named Tony Hibbert as his idol and would have him on the back of an Everton shirt.

Taking to Twitter, Cahill was responding to a club Tweet asking ardent Blues as to the first Everton player they had on the back of their shirts.

Describing himself as a ‘proper fan’, Cahill referenced his admiration for the one-club man. Joining the Blues at youth level in 1991, he made his senior debut in 2001 and spent his entire career at Goodison Park.

A one-time first-team regular, Hibbert struggled with injuries in the latter years of his career at Goodison Park – indeed, he made just one appearance as a substitute in the 2015/16 season before being given the cold shoulder.

He was released along with fellow long-term teammate Leon Osman in June 2016 and discovered his release through his wife, rather than directly through the club. Osman learnt of his release the same way amid a culture shift at the club.

Sydney-born club hero Cahill joined Everton from Millwall in 2004 for just under £2 million, with the attacking midfielder going on to spend eight productive years with the club.

Internationally, the prolific playmaker made 108 appearances for Australia and notched up an impressive 50 goals in the process in a fine testament to his beloved scoring ability.

He now serves on the board of Belgian club KAS Eupen.

Read Everton Verdict

Cahill’s affections for the club are indisputable, and his latest Tweet is no exception.

His affinity is refreshing and issues a unique throwback to the story of a one-club Blue.