Celtic project signing Marco Tilio will remain on loan at Melbourne City for another season.
Brendan Rodgers clearly sees no place for the £1.5m summer 2023 signing from the same club. Tilio arrived at Celtic injured and then was give a limited number of minutes under the Celtic boss before being allowed to return to his previous club on loan in the January window.
The 22 year old winger is looking to regain his fitness and form that saw him emerge as an international player for the Socceroos. His loan spell back at Melbourne City could hardly be regarded as successful so far, as he managed just four appearances, scoring once as his injury plagued spell continued back in Australia.
Now though he has some clarity on his playing future with a season long loan deal being agreed between Celtic and Melbourne City. Tilio seemed pleased, as reported by Australian outlet FTBL.
“Delighted to re-sign and hopefully have a positive season,” the Celtic winger said.”Last season didn’t go to plan. I had a few injuries throughout the whole season (and) ended up being out for about eight months out of the last 12.
“So it wasn’t ideal. It was tough. But now I’ve put myself in a good spot and I just want to get cracking for pre-season and see what I can do for this season at City.
“I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win this season and get myself back out there playing. It’s a massive year. I can’t wait. We want to go on and try to win everything we can this season,” Tilio said.
Brendan Rodgers wishes to work with a smaller squad and intends to add quality to his playing staff, which will mean a significant number of players who were at the club when he arrived, or were in the process of being signed, will be surplus to requirements going forward. It’s hard to see Marco Tilio ever forcing his way back into the manager’s thoughts but the only thing he can do is impress back in his homeland.
Not every project signing turns into a £25m windfall, although the odd one clearly does.
𝙏𝙄𝙇𝙎 𝙄𝙎 𝙃𝙊𝙈𝙀 👋🏠🩵
Marco Tilio returns for the 2024/25 A-League Men’s season following the extension of his loan agreement with Celtic FC.
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 3, 2024