Jota injury plus summer exits could open Celtic door for AUD $3million signing

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The Celtic Star

·19 May 2025

Jota injury plus summer exits could open Celtic door for AUD $3million signing

Celtic will welcome back 23 year-old Australian winger Marco Tilio to pre-season training in early July after the 2023 AUD $3million signing has had a successful loan season back at Melbourne City…

Marco Tilio arrives at Celtic. Photo Celtic FC

Celtic’s numerous summer 2023 ‘project’ signings

Tilio was one of the numerous summer 2023 ‘project’ signings but unfortunately for him and indeed Celtic, he was injured on international duty with Australia shortly after putting pen to paper on his record breaking move to Celtic.

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Tilio was on the treatment table at Lennoxtown for the early stages of Brendan Rodgers’ second spell as Celtic manager and although he as given a few run-outs when finally fit, he was unable to make an impression and a loan move back to Australia followed.

Marco Tilio of Melbourne City celebrates his second goal during the round 23 A-League Men’s match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on April 10, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Tilio impressing back at Melbourne City

This season Tilio has certainly impressed for Melbourne City, with five goals and five assists in the 17 matches he has played in, and that’s played a big part in Melbourne City reaching the A-League Finals this season.

Tilio though has one eye back on his European adventure back at Celtic as he looks to follow in the footsteps of Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy in making a major impact in the East End of Glasgow. Tilio has been in constant contact with Celtic, through Darren O’Dea who will have reported back to Brendan Rodgers on an on-going basis.

The 23 year-old Aussie winger has been talking about his hopes for a more successful second spell back at Celtic. Speaking to Aleague.co.au the out-on-loan Celtic winger said: “If I’m being completely honest, I think I’m in a better position now than what I was back then,” he said. “I’ve matured a lot in the last couple of years. I had my first injury going over to Scotland, and pretty much ridden all those waves, and here I am now.

Marco Tilio arrives at Celtic. Photo Celtic FC

“I feel more mature. I feel more a complete player now, and understanding of the game a lot better. Back at Celtic I speak to obviously team managers, and there’s a loans manager who reaches out after most games.

“I know what I can bring to the team.”

“Since I moved to Celtic, I’ve just been looking to find consistent game time, consistently in playing and in my body feeling confident in that again.

“Here I am now in that position, and I’m really glad where I am. Just confident, consistent game time, and I know what I can bring to the team.”

Luis Palma in action for Olympiacos in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Olympiacos and Bodo/Glimt held at Stadium Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece, 13 March 2025. Photo One Inch Productions

Luis Palma also head back to Celtic as things stand

As things currently stand Tilio will be joined back in Glasgow by Luis Palma, another summer 2023 signing. However recent signing Jota will be missing until well into next season, so there’s perhaps room in the squad there.

Daizen Maeda poses with his Scottish Premiership winners medal after the season s final league match against St. Mirren on May 17, 2025. Photo IMAGO

Maeda and Kuhn will attract summer interest – A new deal for Daizen is a priority

Both Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn are likely to be the subject of transfer speculation. From what we’ve heard from a fairly decent source Maeda would be happy to stay at Celtic and sign a new contract if he is moved into the top bracket of earners within the squad. A reasonable enough position surely?

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