The highly-rated centre-back was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and Tottenham before the transfer window closed on Wednesday. No deal went through and Cahill put club matters to one side, earned his first competitive start for his country, and netted the opening goal in a Euro 2012 qualifying 3-0 win. Cahill said: "It's been a crazy week, mentally more than anything. "I tried not to let it bother me and, in a way, there is not much you can do about it. "Am I disappointed nothing happened (transfer-wise)? I can't really comment on that to be honest with you. "It all happened so quickly. It was like a bit of a whirlwind. "Sometimes it is not always great when you make last-minute decisions but there was no decision for me to make. "I'm employed by Bolton, no fee was accepted, so I'll just move forward and carry on. "My head is fine and I'm doing what I love doing, playing football. I'll work hard for Bolton now and likewise for my country." Cahill admitted: "All that stuff before the game is not ideal by any means. "But the window was shut Wednesday evening, I knew where I was going to be, so I could settle my head. "I could refocus then on the most important thing which is playing for my country. "The manager (Fabio Capello) just left me to my own devices. We are all professional footballers, and you have to be professional about the situation. "You have got to get your head right and be mentally strong in this game." Cahill became the first Bolton player to score for England since Nat Lofthouse 52 years ago. He said: "What an honour that is. If I could turn out anything like that man, I'd be over the moon! "I saw the ball coming across and I just managed to get it on my chest and stick it in the bottom corner. "It was a strange feeling, it almost happened in slow motion and I thought it might have been offside at first. Wayne Rooney told me he thought the same. "I don't know what it looked like on TV but there would have been a lot more excitement if I had known it was going to stand. "But I've over the moon at getting the nod to play first and foremost, and then to get on the scoresheet was fantastic." Cahill added: "I found out I was playing 20 minutes before the game. That's the way the gaffer does things. "You can never be certain because there are so many good players in that position. Everyone prepares as if they are going to play. "Scoring a goal was a bonus for me but, for us to defend the way we did and keep a clean sheet, was the most important thing."
