The Celtic Exchange were in attendance at Marco Tilio’s introduction to the assembled media today, as Celtic’s latest signing opened up on his ambitions ahead of his maiden season in European football.

Tilio, 21, is Brendan Rodgers’ second signing of his second stint at the club, and offers his new manager a versatile attacking option capable of contributing across the final third.

Asked on his best position, Tilio said:

“Left wing or right wing – I’m not really fussed. I’m pretty ambidextrous with both feet so anywhere on the wing I can play my best.”

Following the departure of another two-sided winger in Jota, the Australian international will be a welcome addition to a Celtic attack which scored a record number of goals in the league last season.

Rodgers has made clear his intentions to tackle European as well as domestic football, with Tilio arriving off the back of being part in his country’s World Cup squad in Qatar.

“I spoke to the gaffer before I signed and he had a plan for the club and myself.

The way he wants to play is really going to suit me as a player and I’ll be able to test myself in the league, and hopefully do the same thing in the Champions League.”

Despite earning a place in the A-League team of the year last campaign, Celtic’s new winger knows he has a long way to go in terms of his development as a footballer, and joins a squad already filled with hungry, young players.

The arrival of a manager with a development track-record as impressive as Rodgers however is bound to be a catalyst for further development for Tilio, who fills a life-long ambition in making his move to Europe.

“A coach with his [Rodgers’] pedigree I think is only going to be able to improve me as a person as well as a player, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Having made the first team breakthrough in Australia at a young age, the task of breaking into such a successful Celtic side will not be daunting to the diminutive forward.

With the likes of Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda and Sead Hakšabanović holding strong cases to be part of Rodgers’ first XI, there’s no underestimating the scale of the challenge for Tilio, but it’s one he’s relishing.

“I can’t wait to test myself and do everything I can to play if I get the chance to test myself in big games.

I’m here to be part of a team that hopefully does well in the league as well as the Champions League.”

He’ll get the chance to do so in due course, with the domestic campaign kicking off in less than a month’s time.

Listen to the latest episode of The Celtic Exchange Weekly here as we discuss New Bhoys, Jota’s Money-Spinning Move & A Challenging Start To The Season.

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