MARCO TILIO has been called up to the Australia squad for the Asian Cup – after just over half-an-hour of first-team appearances for Celtic.
The £2million summer recruit from Melbourne City has rarely figured in Brendan Rodgers’ plans after the winger arrived with an injury.
Hoops fans got their first sight of 23-year-old Tilio when he came on for the last four minutes of stoppage-time in the 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Parkhead last month.
He was given a bit more time to display his skills when he replaced Mikey Johnston in the 63rd minute of the 4-1 home victory over Hibs 16 days ago.
WELCOME TO PARADISE…Marco Tilio proudly displays his Celtic shirt after his July arrival.
Tilio is the first Hoops player to be named by his country in their 26-man pool for the tournament that starts on January 10 with the Final scheduled for February 10.
Aussie head coach Graham Arnold sees the touchline ace as “an impact player”, as he made the announcement on the Socceroos website.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda look to be certainties to get the call-up for Japan while Reo Hatate will surely be considered if he can prove his fitness.
South Korean double-act Oh Hyeon-gyu and Yang Hyun-jun are on the brink of getting the nod for their country.
Rodgers will be without a host of first-team squad members while the champions are scheduled to play Ross County in the east end of Glasgow plus away matches against Aberdeen and Hibs.
They are also due to face non-league Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup fourth round at Parkhead on Sunday January 21.
