As Celtic get their preparations for next season underway with a return to training, one player will be hoping to get off to his usual fast start. Marco Tilio joined the club from Melbourne City FC recently and is getting settled to life in Scotland. He does though have a history of making a quick impression.
Tilio’s A-League debut for Sydney FC saw him score within 75 seconds. And it was not long before he was one of the most highly rated young prospects in Australia.
He made his international debut a year later for the Australian Olympics team against Argentina. And Tilio scored with only his second touch after coming on as a 79th minute substitute in a 2-0 win for the Socceroos.
If he can repeat that on his Celtic debut as a starter or a substitute, Tilio will quickly endear himself to the fans and surely to Brendan Rodgers as well. And the Australian certainly seems to be hoping for something similar.
Celtic fans will be delighted with Tilio’s claim
As reported by the Daily Record, he said:
"“It wasn’t a bad start. i don’t know if it was my first or second touch but I definitely scored with my second touch at the Olympics against Argentina. Who knows? Maybe I can do it again. It would be a good first impression. I’m ready. I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think so. For me it was the right time to come to Europe and coming to such a big club, I want to prove myself from the start.”"
Celtic fans will be pretty happy to hear about Tilio’s style of play as well, as the Australian said:
"“That’s the way I like to play. I don’t like to showboat or anything but I like to excite the fans by taking players on and doing the things I believe I can do.“I think it’s important as an attacker to have that kind of coach behind me. It allows me to express myself and do unpredictable things.“He said he wants to play an attacking brand of football and I can’t wait to get involved. Hopefully I can impress him.”"
Rumours have suggested that Tilio was a transfer target for Celtic while Ange Postecoglou was still at the club. Since then, he has left for Tottenham Hotspur, but the Hoops were clearly impressed enough to go ahead with the move.
In addition to Postecoglou leaving Celtic, Aaron Mooy retired recently as well. But Harry Kewell is still at the club in a coaching capacity to keep an Australian connection going. The Champions League winner opting to remain on the coaching team when Rodgers arrived was a surprise to some.
It’ll be hard work for Tilio, but it’s a great opportunity to show what he can do. He could be the next great Australian talent if it works out.