Tim Cahill says Everton have set their sights on Champions League football, but that their goal this season is success in the Uefa Cup.

Everton take a 2-0 lead into tomorrow’s game against Norway’s SK Brann at Goodison Park and are odds-on favourites to progress to the last 16.

“We all want to be in the Champions League, but we know where we are and what we have achieved. At the moment the UEFA Cup means everything to us”, said Cahill. “The Champions League would be fantastic and we are building a great squad.

"But we can’t spend £28million on strikers and £18million on midfielders just yet. We have to be realistic over the market we are in. But the reality is that we are doing really well. What we are building is important. When do we play Inter Milan, who knows?

“But the biggest thing is that we are playing in Europe and playing massive games. We are aware of where we are and where we could be soon. Everyone wants the Champions League and to spend £100m on transfers every year.

“But this club has improved every year. Each season we have done something better and achieved more. We are improving and not going backwards.”

The 28-year-old Australia midfielder said that he believes the current Everton squad could hold its own in the Champions League.

He said: “We have a lot of players here who could play in Champions League sides, we just have to keep going and we will make it. We do not think we are far away, we really want the Champions League and a taste of what we have seen very close to us this week.

“We will make that happen and move forward. Liverpool are doing well and fair enough, but they have had to spend £200million to do it, so for us it is all about who we are and where we are.

“We have pride and we are striving to give that to the fans, hopefully we will be there soon. But our position speaks for itself. We know what we have achieved already but want more.”

Ivar Mjelde, SK Brann’s manager, admits his side are unlikely to qualify, saying: “We need a miracle lifeline. To believe in qualifying is pointless.

“We will try to get the best possible result, but it might end very badly. The goal is to play well and to defend better.”