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Fullname: Marco Tilio
aka: –
Born: 23 August 2001
Birthplace: Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia
Signed: 30 June 2023 (est £1.4m from Melbourne City, Australia)
On Loan: 1 Feb 2024-31 May 2024 (to Melbourne City); 4 Jul 2024 – 31 May 2025 (to Melbourne City)
Left: –
Position: Winger, Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 1-1 Motherwell, SP, 25 Nov 2023
Squad No.: 23
Internationals: Australia
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
The young Australian Marco Tilio joined Celtic from Melbourne City (A-League) in June 2023, paying a then A-League record-breaking fee for his signature. It was not long after his fellow countryman Ange Postecoglou had opted to leave the Celtic managerial job for Spurs, whilst also fellow Aussie & popular Celtic player Aaron Mooy retired from play on the same day Tilio signed.
Brendan Rodgers had returned as manager, and Tilio was a highly rated prospect who had already won major silverware down under. Following the surprise departure of Jota to Saudi, Tilio was earmarked to take his place. He never even came close to that admittedly daunting benchmark.
He did say that on-field he liked to do “unpredictable things”, but his career off it seemed to follow that so much more closely.
Poor luck did come into it, when injury soon struck after his arrival, and he was to be lost to selection for much of the first half of the season.
He made his debut in a 1-1 draw v Motherwell (Nov 2023), and then made an appearance v Hibs in a 4-1 win (Dec 2023) with the response to his performances generally warm in the very brief time that he was on the pitch, but Celtic had begun to slip in their form.
As Celtic both seemed to progress and falter, it didn’t help his case when a frustrated Rodgers publicly stated his frustrations at the efforts of certain players during a slump in form by the first team:
“Nawrocki & Lagerbielke need to show why they should be in squads in training, Tilio similar situation – all fit – ‘Competition can be the best coach’.”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
That was really the end of the story for Tilio it seemed, but in fairness much the same for Nawrocki and Lagerbielke who were all from the same summer transfer, a window mostly to become judged as a shambles.
In January 2024, whilst Marco Tilio was away on international duty with Australia in the Asia Cup, he was sent on loan back to Melbourne City in the Australian league. He had some smajor success down under, winning the A-League Grand Final who defeated Melbourne Victory 1-0 in 2025.
He conceded the difficulty in the step up from the Aussie A League to moving to Celtic, which is understandable but others have done it. Notably, fellow countryman Rogic also struggled badly when he first came to Glagsow but after a loan spell back in Australia, Rogic returned to Celtic to turn his career around. Few were ever convinced Tilio would achieve the same. Also Celtic had brought back Jota,
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Quotes
“I’m ecstatic that I’m coming over to Europe, coming to such a big club and team, and I’m super-excited.”
Marco Tilio (June 2023)
“He’ll need a little time to bed in and adapt but @CelticFC fans, you’re getting a really exciting winger in Marco Tilio. He’s dynamic, a brilliant dribbler, packs a powerful finish and is really robust for a player of his size. You’ll enjoy him.”
James Dodd (FoxSportsNews journalist in Sydney, June 2023)
“Nawrocki & Lagerbielke need to show why they should be in squads in training, Tilio similar situation – all fit – ‘Competition can be the best coach’”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
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Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2023-24 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2024-25 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
- […]
Scottish Cup
- […]
Scottish League Cup
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Articles
Australian internationalist, Marco Tilio joins the Hoops
30 Jun 2023, 11:27 am
First Team
By Joe Sullivan
Celtic are delighted to announce the signing of Australian internationalist, Marco Tilio on a five-year deal subject to the usual international clearance.
The 21-year-old attacking winger signs from A-League champions, Melbourne City who he joined in 2020 from hometown club, Sydney FC.
The new Hoops striker told Celtic TV: “I’m ecstatic that I’m coming over to Europe, coming to such a big club and team, and I’m super-excited.
“I hope to bring all my qualities, take on players in and around the box, help the team contribute to goals with assists and hopefully put a few in the back of the net as well.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for myself and having seen Aussies go over there and do well at such a prestigious club, it’s a massive opportunity for myself that I couldn’t deny.
“And being around those guys, Aaron Mooy and Tommy Rogic, in the national team camp over recent years, obviously helped make my decision easier.”
A move to Europe was always on the horizon for the new Celt, as he said: “It’s always been a plan ever since I moved over to Melbourne three years ago.
“It was my plan to go over and do well, and hopefully proceed to go on to different and bigger and better things, and now I think is the time for me to come over to Europe and really challenge myself.
‘And I’m really excited with the opportunity I have to come to this club and hopefully I put my best foot forward and play some good football.’
“I think it’s a massive opportunity to be a part of a team that plays in the Champions League, and have a winning mentality in bringing trophies. I think that’s important.
“And as a player that’s what you want to be a part of and what you want to do is win trophies, win games. For me it’s always been about that here in Australia and I want to come over there and do the same thing.”
Amid all the arrangements to make the trip from one side of the world to the other, the new Celt still found the time to catch up with Hoops manager, Brendan Rodgers.
He said: “I did have a chat with him a few days ago and I was really excited to have the opportunity to speak to him, and the plan the club has for me and for the team is a great opportunity as I said I couldn’t deny, and I’m really looking forward to getting over there to Scotland.
“I’m just finalising a few things and I’m trying to pack up everything here in Australia, and as soon as I can, I’ll head over to Scotland, meet all the team, the whole club.
‘I’m really excited about that and hopefully I can get over there as soon as possible and get right into the thick of things.’
“I think it’s amazing, obviously the pre-season is so long, it drags on, and in Europe it’s a lot shorter than what it is here, so I’m looking forward to getting right into it and playing games, and I think that’s exciting as well that you get over and start to gel with the team as much as possible before the competitions and season starts.”
Tilio will wear the same No.23 shirt with Celtic that we wore while with Melbourne, and he said: “My birthday is August 23, and 23 is sort of my lucky number, so it’s done me well over my time here in Melbourne and I want to carry that on coming over to Celtic.”
Aussie Scout (june 2023)
From <https://twitter.com/scout_aussie/status/1672524069391204352>
Tilio is one of Australia’s best talents; he is a Socceroo who has been to a World Cup and he registered 10 goals/5 assists in the league last season.
Tilio is a versatile attacker who has played in a variety of positions for Melbourne City. He has played on either wing, as a second striker, as a 10 and even as an 8. He has most commonly played as a left-winger but has arguably been most effective as a 10/second striker.
Tilio is left-footed and has scored the vast majority of his goals at professional level on his left foot. He is a better finisher on his left, but he is capable on, and willing to use, his right foot as well. He has shown the ability to switch play capably on either foot.
His ambidexterity means he is unpredictable for defenders. From the left, he can cut inside onto his right foot or drive to the byline. From the right, he can drive to the byline or cut onto his left. He can combine in tight spaces and make quick combinations.
Tilio’s strength is undoubtedly his technique. He is probably Australia’s best tight-space dribbler. He excels in tight spaces under pressure and loves to take defenders on 1v1 or even 1v2. He has a proactive first touch and doesn’t require space to dribble.
He is good at combining in midfield and with his fullback – his first touch is good and his first time passes under pressure are also quite good. Sometimes his decision making can let him down.
His ball handling is fantastic, under pressure, in space and over long distances. He was 4th in the A-League for progressive runs last season (4.5 per 90) and was 12th in the league for dribbles attempted (6.9 per 90), which he completed at a 58% success rate.
Tilio was a prolific goalscorer for the first time last season. He scored 10 league goals (1 ever 209 minutes) – none of which were penalties. While he exceeded his xG by 0.11 per 90 minutes, I wouldn’t say he is a consistent finisher. He is capable of spectacular goals, however.
Tilio has good vision and timing, particularly in transition moments. Playing centrally, his A-League xA has consistently been around 0.4 per 90 – which is excellent. This number drops to around 0.14 per 90 when he plays on the wing.
His crossing is inconsistent – his technique is good and he has registered numerous assists from crosses on either foot – but sometimes he can be guilty of crossing blindly. His cross accuracy playing from the left last season was only 4.5%. It was much stronger from the right.
Tactically, Tilio is an intelligent player and, especially when playing centrally, is capable of finding space between the lines. When playing as a winger, he rarely makes runs in behind – more often coming inside or taking on a fullback 1v1.
Tilio is short in stature (approx. 170cm). He has a low centre of gravity and is agile and quick over short distances, but is not especially quick over long distances. His height doesn’t limit him from competing – he has scored a number of headers at professional level.
His workrate is fairly strong. Melbourne City play a high pressing game – the most intense pressing game in the A-League and Tilio is part of this press.
Tilio has proven to be a big moment player throughout his career. He scored a phenomenal goal on his Olympics debut to win the game vs. Argentina. He won an A-League semi-final off his own back as a 19 year old in 2021. He doesn’t hide.
It has been mooted that he might replace Liel Abada, who has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park. I don’t think this would be like-for-like. Abada is more athletic, prefers to run in behind, and is not as good as Tilio in tight spaces. Their profiles are different.
If anything, Tilio is much more similar to Jota – though Jota, at this point in his career – is more polished and more dynamic than Tilio.
Tilio is ready for a move to Europe. He has improved his output season on season and has become a national team regular. He is one of Australia’s best and most unique talents – a genuine technician. He has clear potential and it suits him to play in a possession-based system.
Celtic have been tracking me for years – I spoke to one Aussie about move but not Ange Postecoglou
Marco Tilio revealed that his move to Celtic has been years in the making as he faced reporters for the first time since completing his switch from Melbourne City.
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Published 7th Jul 2023, 17:14 BST
Updated 7th Jul 2023, 17:14 BST
Comment
The winger admitted that he has been in contact with the Parkhead club since first breaking onto the scene in Australia – but admitted that he had no contact with previous boss Ange Postecoglou prior to his departure for Tottenham.
With his fellow countryman no longer in charge, Tilio is looking forward to working under his successor Brendan Rodgers, who has returned for a second spell, after joining on a five-year deal last week.
“I never spoke to Ange, but I know I’ve spoken to the club for a number of years now,” revealed the 21-year-old, who registered 10 goals and five assists in the A-League last season.
Marco Tilio is pictured at Celtic Park after signing a five-year deal with the club. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Marco Tilio is pictured at Celtic Park after signing a five-year deal with the club. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
“They’ve had a plan tracked for me and I think now with a new gaffer coming in, I spoke to him before I signed, and he had a great plan for me and for the club and I just wanted to be a part of that.
“I think they just kept tabs on me, I don’t know too much.
“For me, it’s always been about just playing football and doing what I can control and that’s perfoming on the field. All these other things outside of football I’ve never really thought about it. I just try to perform on the field and let everyone else deal with the outside stuff.
“Since I moved to Melbournce City three years ago it was my goal to get over to Europe and here I am with an opportunity that’s presented itself and I just can’t wait to get started.”
A number of Aussies have featured for Celtic over the years and Tilio revealed he reached out to the most recent departee for advice prior to making the move to Glasgow.
“I spoke to Aaron Mooy before making my decision,” he said. “Being involved in the national team with him a few times he just couldn’t speak highly enough of the club and the people at the club. It just really brought to my attention that I really want to do this and join this great club.”
Celtic’s Tilio returns to Melbourne City on loan
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3g0d8j95qpo
Celtic winger Marco Tilio
IMAGE SOURCE,SNS
Image caption,
Marco Tilio made two outings as a substitute for Celtic last season
Published
23 minutes ago
Celtic winger Marco Tilio has extended his loan stay with Melbourne City for the 2024-25 A-League season.
The Australian, 22, returned to his former club for the second half of last term.
He signed a five-year deal with the Scottish champions last summer but was limited to just two appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Capped seven times for his country, Celtic paid a undisclosed fee, reported to be a record for an A-League player.
“This club has always felt like home to me and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch and contribute to the team,” Tilio told the City website.
“Last season was a difficult one for me with injury, but I’ve been working hard to come back stronger.”
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