CONFIRMED: TILIO DEAL ‘IN 48 HOURS’

CELTIC expect to seal their move for Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio within the next 48 hours.

Brendan Rodgers is poised to add his second quickfire signing to the squad with the highly-rated Aussie joining Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm who arrived on a five-year deal last week, as CQN reported.

The transfer fee and personal terms for Tilio have been agreed and the move is on the brink of being completed with a work permit about to be rubberstamped as the Hoops strengthen for the new campaign.

The champions are poised to smash the A-League transfer record for the 21-year-old talent who can play on either right or left flanks.

OZ-SOME…Marco Tilio on duty for the Socceroos.

Tilio has been flagged up as a signing with huge potential after an outstanding 2022/23.

The five times-capped international scored 10 goals last season as City won the A-League to attract scouts throughout Europe.

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has tipped Tilio for big things and he will join up with Oz team-mate Aaron Mooy in Glasgow.

Rodgers admitted the timing is perfect to strengthen his “exciting squad” during the summer transfer window

The returning Hoops manager, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “It’s a good time to strengthen whenever you have done well. It’s not going to be lots of numbers.

“Over the last couple of years they have built a squad, so it’s a case of developing that and adding quality where we can.

“I’m really excited with the players here because it’s a young squad and there’s still a lot of growth in that.”

TREBLE YELL…Filipe Jota celebrates Celtic’s Scottish Cup triumph to secure the domestic clean sweep.

Tilio will face fierce competition for a spot in the wide areas with Filipe Jota and Daizen Maeda the first picks in the run-in to the treble-winning campaign with Liel Abada and Sead Haksabanovic playing their part.

Evergreen James Forrest is fit again while Republic of Ireland international Mikey Johnston is on his way back after completing his season-long loan at Portuguese top-flight side Vitoria Guimaraes.

Plus teenager Rocco Vata is expected to be part of Rodgers’ squad in the new term.