If a report from the Daily Record is believed to be true, forgotten Celtic winger Marco Tilio is expected to seek a winter exit to get his career back on track. Ange Postecoglou recommended the Aussie youngster, leading to a £1.5m summer transfer from Melbourne City FC. However, the former Hoops chief left for Tottenham Hotspur and Brendan Rodgers, his successor, is yet to consider the attacking ace for his first-team plans.
Injuries did not help him either early into the campaign. The exit of Sead Hakšabanović could have worked in his favour, but the scintillating impact of Luis Palma has further jeopardized his Glasgow future. He is way down the pecking order behind Daizen Maeda, Liel Abada, Luis Palma, James Forrest, Jyunjun Yang and Mikey Johnston, also, his exclusion from the Bhoys’ 2023-24 UEFA Champions League squad suggests that there is little hope left for the 22-year-old to resurrect his Celtic career.
TIlio made his first appearance of the season when he came on as a substitute for the Australian under-23s against Qatar. The minutes with Subway Olyroos should boost his confidence, but the seven-capped Socceroos star needs regular gametime to reclaim his senior status.
“It’s going to take him more time, but I’m not in any big rush for Marco. I think he’ll bring himself into the team as quickly as he can produce. He is adapting but it’s taking a wee bit longer for him just purely because the intensity of the game is totally different to where he has come from.”
Told Rodgers a few weeks ago while discussing Tilio’s situation at Parkhead.
Why Celtic Should Sanction His Winter Transfer
Predominantly left-footed, the young forward prefers to operate from the right as an inverted winger. After progressing through the academy ranks of Leichhardt Saints FC, APIA Leichhardt, Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC, Tilio eventually broke into the latter’s first-team squad in 2019. But he decided not to pen a new contract due to lack of playing time in the Sky Blues’ colours. His move to Melbourne worked exquisitely as he contributed to their successive A-League triumphs.
Despite firing in 21 goals and laying on 20 more in 89 club appearances [stats via Transfermarket] across competitions, the young attacker is yet to find his feet in European football. He holds all the traits to shine in the long run and Celtic, therefore, should not stand in the way of his progression by offering a bit-part role for the remainder of the ongoing term.
