Marco Tilio’s coach is backing the Melbourne City winger to emulate the success of Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic at Celtic as the Scottish Premiership champions agree a fee.
With James Forrest, Liel Abada, Jota, Daizen Maeda, Mikey Johnston and Sead Haksabanovic already at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal, you’d have been forgiven for assuming that the last thing Celtic needed was another twinkle-toed wideman.
It’s fair to say the Hoops bosses don’t quite agree.
Yang Hyun-Jun confirmed in recent days that Celtic are hoping to make him their latest Far East addition, while the Daily Record reports that a fee has been agreed with A-League winners Melbourne City for Marco Tilio too.
Capped five times by the Socceroos, Tilio scored 10 goals and set up six more last term, helping Melbourne City win another title while also securing his place in the division’s Team of the Year.
Celtic close in on Marco Tilio
“He’s a good kid,” coach John Maisano, who is leaving Melbourne for Troyes, tells the Daily Record. “(Tilio) comes from a good family and is a good person.
“I reached out to him the other day. (I) told him that, if he wanted to chat, then I’m here for him. Because he now needs to get his head around Scottish football.
“I mean, there is no reason why he can’t deliver over there what he’s delivered here. But, obviously, he needs to adapt. You know what, he’s such a good player he will adapt.”
Tilio, labelled a ‘phenomenal player’ by one former Australia striker, will be hoping to emulate the success of compatriots Mooy, Rogic and Scott McDonald at Parkhead, not to mention Ange Postecoglou.
“If you look at all these guys, their attitude was probably the most important thing,” Maisano adds.
“They put their heads down, worked hard and reaped the rewards. There’s no reason why Marco can’t do that. No reason at all.”
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