Marco Tilio has revealed that Celtic have been keeping tabs on him for a few seasons.
It is a surprising insight into the clubs scouting system that brought Daniel Arzani to the hoops in 2018 although that was through a loan from Manchester City following a couple of appearances off the bench at the World Cup in Russia.
Back in January 2020 Jack Hendry went on loan to Melbourne City but that was cut short by a serious knee injury with Tilio the latest connection between the two clubs.
At the age of 21 the winger has already won four A-League titles with that winning mentality a must of he is to succeed as a Celtic player.
Reflecting on his move to Europe Tilio told The Sun:
For a couple of seasons now, Celtic have kept tabs on me. I was a young player and I knew I had to bide my time back home. I just wanted to grow as a person, and make that step when I was ready.
I never spoke to Ange, but I know the club had a plan for me. With the new gaffer coming in, I spoke to him before I signed to come to Celtic.
He said I am an exciting attacker and he likes playing an attacking brand of football. That’s what I like to do as a player — excite the fans. I hope with this opportunity that I have I can certainly do that.
Now is the time, I feel ready. I guess I have to live up to expectations but I’ve always focused on what I can control, and that’s simply training every day and playing games.
Throughout my time in Australia it was all about performing each week. I knew an opportunity would arise if I did that.
I’m here now and I want to do the same. I want to perform and do well. I’ve watched a few games before and Celtic are a team that dominates a game. It’s an amazing stadium.
Like any 21-year0old joining Celtic there are no guarantees but with five substitutes allowed in each match there is access to first team football.
A solid week of training at Celtic’s Algarve training camp among Celtic’s international players followed by the two match trip to Japan should give the new boy a crash course in the demands of his new club.
