CELTIC new Bhoy Marco Tilio is hoping there is treble ahead.
The 21-year-old winger got the green light as he sealed his £2million five-year switch from Melbourne City, as CQNconfirmed last month.
Tilio arrives at the champions with the reputation as a flamboyant, entertaining flanker who also has the invaluable knack of providing the odd goal or two.
The Australia international has now joined up with his new team-mates for pre-season training with the competitive action scheduled to kick off in the Premiership opener against Ross County on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow at 12.30pm on Saturday August 5.
Tilio is determined to hit the ground running as he focuses on silverware and admits that it will be “massive to try to win back-to-back trebles”.
IT’S GOOD TO TALK…Marco Tilio meets the media. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
The youngster revealed: “It was a couple of weeks ago that I knew everything was falling into place.
“It was amazing for me because this is such a big club and I couldn’t say no.
“The move to Europe has been on my mind and I just worked on trying to perform on the field.
“When I moved to Melbourne City three years ago, it was my goal to get to Europe and here I am with an opportunity that has presented itself and I can’t wait to get started.
“The club had kept tabs on me for a couple of seasons now, but I never really thought about it and I just tried to perform on the field.
“Now I’m here, everyone I’ve spoken to has been amazing and I’m really happy to be here.”
Tilio already knows the prestige of winning a league title with his former Aussie A-League club and his eyes on emulating the achievement with the Hoops while attempting to make a name in Europe’s elite competition.
The wide Bhoy, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I spoke to Aaron Mooy before I made my decision as I had been involved with him at the national team a few times.
“He couldn’t speak highly enough of the club and the people at the club. It brought it to my attention that I really wanted to do this.
MARCO GOALO…Celtic new Bhoy Marco Tilio celebrates a strike for Melbourne City.
“I spoke to Brendan Rodgers, as well, and he said I’m an exciting attacker and he likes to play an attacking brand of football and that’s what I like to do as a player. I hope with this opportunity I have that I can do that.
“It’s going to be massive to try to win back-to-back trebles – that is what the club’s goal is.
“At Melbourne, it was all about winning trophies, as well, and I have some experience of doing that so I hope I can bring it here.
“It’s a massive bonus playing in the Champions League. It’s a dream and to be part of a team that’s going into that tournament is amazing and, hopefully, I can present myself on that stage too.”
Returning gaffer Rodgers was swift to add Tilio to his squad after making his first signing the previous week when he landed 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm from top-flight Valarenga.
Speaking about his latest acquisition, the Irishman added: “Marco’s slight in stature, but he’s very quick and he’s very dynamic. I think he’ll prove to be a really good addition to the squad.
“He can play in a couple of positions and he scores goals. He’s a young player hopefully with a bright future and I look forward to seeing him in action.”
