Celtic winger Marco Tilio has spoken about his future at the Hoops as he continues his loan spell at Melbourne City.
The Australian winger looks set to see out the current A-League season before any decisions are made regarding his long-term future at Celtic Park.
A Promising Spell in the A-League
Since returning to Melbourne City in February, Tilio has began to find his rhythm again after an injury-hit spell at Celtic. He has featured in nine league games this season, scoring three goals, including two in his last three games. His recent form has put him in contention for a Socceroos recall, with head coach Tony Popovic keeping a close eye on his performances ahead of Australia’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.
A Record-Breaking Move to Celtic
Tilio joined Celtic in June 2023, signing a five-year contract in a deal worth over £1.5 million. The transfer set a new record for the highest fee paid for an A-League player, highlighting the Hoops’ belief in his potential. However, injuries hampered his ability to make an impact in Scotland, and with limited first-team opportunities, he was loaned back to his former club to regain form and match fitness.
Loan Extended to Gain Experience
Initially, Tilio’s loan was only set to last until the end of the 2023–24 season. However, it was later extended to cover the entire 2024–25 campaign, ensuring the he gets consistent game time before a decision is made about his future at Celtic. The extra time in Australia has allowed him to rebuild his confidence and prove his worth in his homeland.
Tilio Speaks on His Future
Speaking about his future, Tilio admitted that discussions about his next move are still in the early stages. He said: (News.com), “There has been a little bit of chat but nothing concrete yet. I’m sure in the next couple of months the conversations will start to ramp up, and we’ll see where it goes from there.
“My only thought is to play, play well and put myself out there and have better options to consider at the end of this season.”
For now, Tilio remains focused on performing well for Melbourne City. Whether he returns to Celtic or moves elsewhere is still up for debate, but in recent weeks, he has appeared to rediscover the form that led to his move to Celtic in 2023. Whether that will be enough to earn him another chance in Brendan Rodgers’ squad next season remains to be seen.
