Marco Tilio, the young Australian winger, has been making waves in the football world with his impressive skills and talent. Despite his small stature, Tilio has caught the attention of many, including Melbourne City FC’s Director of Football, Michael Petrillo.
Petrillo first saw Tilio play for Sydney FC when he was just 16 years old. Even at that young age, Tilio’s talent was evident, and Petrillo knew that he was special. “When I saw him at Sydney, I thought, ‘Wow, this kid is special’,” Petrillo said in an interview with Suited & Booted TV.
Tilio’s journey to Celtic was a significant one, with the Scottish club paying a record fee of over £1m to sign him from Melbourne FC in 2023. However, Tilio struggled to settle in Scotland and was subsequently loaned back to Melbourne City FC.
Despite the setback, Tilio’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Petrillo believes that Tilio’s size is not a limitation, citing examples of successful short players in football history. “We don’t really care what size they are,” Petrillo said. “There’s a history of shorter players in world football who have been the best.”
Tilio’s loan move to Melbourne City FC has been a positive one, with the young winger making seven appearances and scoring one goal so far. However, his spell has been hampered by injury, which has limited his playing time.
With his loan deal running until June next year, Tilio still has time to prove himself and potentially earn a place in Celtic’s first team. Petrillo’s praise for Tilio suggests that the young Australian has a bright future in football, and Celtic fans will be hoping that he can fulfill his potential and make a meaningful contribution to the team.
Tilio’s story is one of talent, perseverance, and determination. Despite the setbacks, he has continued to work hard and impress those around him. As he continues to develop and grow, there is no doubt that Tilio will become a significant player in the football world.