Watch Marco Tilio score as on-loan Celtic winger gets Melbourne FC’s season off to a flyer

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Marco Tilio is enjoying a second stint on loan in Australia after returning to his homeland last season.

Tilio joined Celtic back in June 2023 from Melbourne FC for the record fee ever paid to an Australian club by a team outside of the A-League.

At just 21, Tilio became Australia’s most expensive-ever export and arrived at Celtic with fans expecting big things from the young winger.

However, Tilio struggled to settle at Celtic and now in his second loan spell at the Australian club, the young Aussie has gotten Melbourne FC’s season off to a flying start after scoring on the opening day of the new season.

On-loan Celtic winger scores for Melbourne within two minutes

Up against Newcastle Jets, Melbourne were looking to better their 6th-place finish in the A-League last season and Tilio’s second-minute opener did just the job.

Melbourne held off for the win despite being reduced to ten men in the 70th minute to win the match and sit nicely in 4th place at the top of the league.

Tony Vidmar delighted with on-loan Celtic winger’s early strike

Melbourne’s sporting director has already admitted Tilio is a ‘special’ player and it seems that he has delighted his manager, Tony Vidmar.

Vidmar told the assembled post-match press conference [Melbourne FC], “I thought we played some decent football. It’s great that we scored early, that helped.

“We showed a little bit of rustiness in the front third at some stages. But I think every club that has gone through a pre-season probably need a couple of games to get a little bit of rhythm.

“But in saying that, coming away in round one, playing the way we did, I’m really pleased.”

Tilio’s loan expires at the end of the season and Rodgers will need to decide how he proceeds with the 23-year-old moving forward.

Even if he has no future at Celtic, if Tilio can continue to provide goals and performances like this then at least the Parkhead club can try and recuperate as much of the record fee they paid for the young Australian last season.