Marco Tilio wasn’t able to get the Harry Kewell Medal draped around his neck.
But the Celtic new boy has landed an even more cherished prize now he has the chance to work every day under one of his boyhood Aussie heroes. Tilio’s outstanding displays for Sydney as well as Melbourne City as an up-and-coming star brought him recognition in his homeland.
Twice the attacker was in the running to land the PFA Harry Kewell Medal, given for outstanding performance by an Under-23 player running out in the A-League or an overseas-based Aussie. Tilio didn’t get it on either occasion when nominated. That doesn’t matter now, though. The 21-year-old admits he was as nervous as he’s ever been when meeting his new boss Brendan Rodgers for the first time after signing. However, the presence of Kewell among the coaching staff at Parkhead offers another pinch me situation with a chance to mix with an idol of his.
Like all youngsters Down Under with football in their blood, the former Socceroo superstar is an inspiration to kids on account of his exploits both for his country and in Europe playing for top sides such as Liverpool plus Leeds. And Tilio believes he’s now got the main prize after missing out on the award.
He said: “In the last couple of years I was in the nominations for it but I never got it. Obviously he’s a massive person back home with a huge stature and it can only help me as a person and as a player to be working under him now as a player. I am looking forward to that.
“At the World Cup he was around, so I met him there and I obviously spoke with him here. You look at the World Cups he’s been to, his pedigree and what he has done in his career. It is testament to how he was as a player. And his drive and energy is going to be exactly the same as a coach. Hopefully he can help me to be someone like him here in Scotland and beyond.
“He had a massive career and that is testament to his hard work, his character and how he was as a person and a player. So I hope to learn under him and he can bring the best out of me. The likes of Harry and Tim Cahill, all young Australians look up to these types of players. Seeing him in the flesh now every single day, I think I’ll pinch myself. It’s pretty cool. As an Australian, I looked up to Tim and Harry. Outside of that, Lionel Messi was my icon.”
Kewell is not the only Aussie to have an influence on Tilio as the youngster made the choice to switch to Scotland. He’s racked up seven senior caps of his own to follow in footsteps and added: “I spoke with Aaron Mooy before making my decision. I’ve been involved in the national team with him a few times. He couldn’t speak highly enough of the club and the people here. It brought my attention that I wanted to join this great club.
“I have watched a few games before and Celtic are a team that dominate a game. It’s an amazing stadium. See it packed with a full house, it brings an energy to the players out there playing. Now to be here and have a chance to get out there, I can’t wait.”
Tilio, of course, knows that joining a club with such huge expectations and history brings its own pressures. Celtic have been a trophy-winning machine in the past few years and the relentless need for success means there is little time for bedding in.
But the Aussie reckons he can handle the situation, having worked his way into the position to earn his switch. He said: “I don’t think about that right now. It’s all about getting comfortable and taking the opportunity once I get it, then I can show the fans what I can do.”
Tilio was a regular winner with Melbourne before his move to Glasgow’s east end and, although the pressures are different, winning is winning. He added: “I’ve come from a club that liked winning trophies and I know here it’s all about winning trophies. As a team, we want to win things, so to have that experience from back home is only going to help me as a player coming in here.
“I’m ready. I wouldn’t have come to Europe now if I wasn’t. I’ve done my apprenticeship back home in Australia and I wanted to take this next step in my career into Europe. This is an opportunity for myself and I can’t wait. I’ve been playing since I was six years old and loved every minute of it so far.
“I was a young player and I knew I had to bide my time back home in Australia. I just wanted to grow and make that step when I was ready. Now is the time I feel ready.
“I guess I had to live up to expectations but I always focused on what I can control – that’s training every day and playing games. In my time in Australia, it was about performing each week. I knew an opportunity would arise if I did that. I’m here now and I want to do well.”
READ NEXT:
