Marco Tilio can be Celtic transfer smash hit as former mentor tells Aussie to follow Tom Rogic path to greatness

Marco Tilio has been tipped to become the latest Aussie smash hit at Celtic - by the man who helped turn him into a top team star at Melbourne City.

Former Morton mainstay John Maisano spent the last 12 months working with Tilio at the A-League big guns and transforming the youngster from a first team fringe player into one of the most highly sought after youngsters in the country. Tilio - who has picked up five caps with the Socceroos and was part of their World Cup squad in Qatar in December - is now expected to become Brendan Rodgers’ second signing of the summer following the capture of Norwegian youngster Odin Thiago Holm

And Maisano has already been in contact with the 21-year-old to wish him well in Scottish football as the final details of the deal have been thrashed out behind the scenes. Maisano, who is also leaving Melbourne this season to become assistant boss to Patrick Kisnorbo at French outfit Troyes, believes the youngster can go on to mach the impact made by countrymen such as Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Scott McDonald in Glasgow’s east end.

He told Record Sport: “He’s a good kid, comes from a good family and is a good person. I reached out to him the other day and told him that if he wanted to chat then I’m here for him because he now needs to get his head around Scottish football.

“I mean, there is no reason why he can’t deliver over there what he’s delivered here but obviously he needs to adapt. You know what, he’s such a good player he will adapt.

“Aaron Mooy is still there, Tommy Rogic was there not so long ago and Scotty McDonald made a huge impact. If you look at all these guys their attitude was probably the most important thing.

“They put their heads down, worked hard and reaped the rewards.