Cahill, who scored the clinching third goal in Sunday's FA Cup 3-1 win over Aston Villa to reach the quarter-finals, has been thrilled by the progress of youngsters Jack Rodwell, 17, and Dan Gosling, 18, who have been thrust into Everton's injury-hit side.

It was Rodwell - nephew of former Blackpool winger Tony Rodwell - who stole the show.

He scored his first senior goal for the club and discussions over a new five-year contract will be concluded shortly.

Cahill said: "The youngsters have been outstanding, they have stepped into the side with so much maturity.

"The senior players here have been very impressed. And you can be sure we will look after them as their careers progress, that is what this squad is all about."

Birkdale-born Rodwell was labelled "a new Rio Ferdinand" by Everton boss David Moyes after their progress to the last eight and a home quarter-final with the winners of the Middlesbrough v West Ham replay.

Cahill added: "This win has been a massive achievement. The youngsters who came into the side did so well and the performance was at the pinnacle of our achievements this season.

"The youngsters really showed their worth. And we have to all pull together when we have as many injuries as we have now.

"Everything was spot-on, the work rate and commitment. I feel very privileged to be playing alongside these players and for this club, we all know what it is to go out and give everything.

"We will do all we can to help the youngsters, it is the style here to do that. They have been around the squad for a while and the gaffer has bedded them in nicely.

"He is very clever with the way he uses them in matches, and they have both done very well.

"We never get ahead of ourselves at this club, but we understand that beating teams like Liverpool and Aston Villa can really set you up for the future."

It was an emotional day for Cahill, who made his personal tribute to those who have lost their lives in the Australian bush fires.

The Australia international wore a black armband during the tie, his thoughts with those who have suffered in the disaster that has claimed almost 200 lives.

As Cahill turned away from scoring Everton's third, he pointed to the armband and looked to the heavens.

He said: "I made a point of dedicating my goal to the folks back home in Australia who have lost loved ones.

"I went to Japan to play alongside the rest of the Australian lads (in a World Cup qualifier) in midweek, and it was very difficult trying to deal with the disaster in Australia knowing so many families are in mourning.

"The team as individuals, the cricketers too and the whole sporting nation, have all been very upset by what has happened. What I did was just my little tribute to the people who have suffered and died.

"It has hit me and a lot of people very hard. I wanted to show that people do care."

Everton are in the last eight for only the fourth time since they last won the FA Cup in 1995, and it is the furthest Moyes has managed in his spell at the club.

The Scot said: "We played with a lot of freedom, we expressed ourselves. But beforehand with all the injuries, I was worried about being able to put out a side with any sort of balance.

"Can we win it? Of course we will be trying, but you only have to look at the strength of the sides still left in the tournament to know how hard it will be.

"We will just enjoy what we have achieved. The next game is a big one, we will be at home, and that is important.

"But I still maintain that the league is more important thing for us, we want to finish in a European position."

He added: "The two youngsters had to come into the side because of all our problems, but they have shown how good they are.

"They did very well against an excellent side, Rodwell at times was exceptional and he took his goal really well."