breaking nows:’I believe this will benefit his Celtic career.’ The international boss explains the unexpected call-up

After only two substitute appearances for Celtic, Marco Tilio has been named to Australia’s squad for the Asian Cup, which begins on January 10.

Other call-ups from Japan and South Korea will stretch the Celtic squad for important domestic matches, but in the case of the Socceroos, Tilio’s chance to play is to be welcomed.

All of Celtic’s summer signings are doomed to be surrounded by uncertainty, with the former Melbourne City winger one of three new starters left out of Brendan Rodgers’ Champions League squad.

Brief cameos against Motherwell and Hibs haven’t revealed much, but after being named to last year’s World Cup squad in Qatar, Graham Arnold has shown faith in Tilio, as he explained to the Australian Federation website:

I think I can be honest and say that if it had stayed at 23, there was a good chance Marco wouldn’t have come, but the fact that it was extended to 26 allows us to have someone completely different who can play left wing, right wing, and number 10.

He’s competed in major tournaments and will be with me at the Olympics in 2021. But there’s also the World Cup, which I believe will help his Celtic career.

I’ve looked at how also we can help that Olympic campaign and, and conversation with Brendan Rodgers. At the end of the day, Tils hasn’t played much at Celtic, but we know what he can do.

He can bring that bit of difference as an impact player as well and be with us and get that smile back on his face and getting ready obviously for Celtic but also available, the availability and fresher and fitter for the Olympic campaign as well.

While the Asian Cup is going on Celtic have SPFL matches at home to Ross County plus away matches against Aberdeen and Hibs. Arnold has included Easter Road duo Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller in his squad.

Celtic play Hibs on February 7 with the Asian Cup Final on February 10, if the Socceroos reach the semi-finals it is unlikely that Boyle and Miller will be playing against Celtic.

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