Celtic block move for attacker ahead of Premiership opener | OneFootball

Celtic are reportedly blocking Marco Tilio’s exit to Rapid Vienna until reinforcements are signed. The Scottish Champions kick off their Premiership defence on Sunday against St Mirren and the Australian is expected to be in the Matchday squad.

This is despite Celtic having reportedly agreed a deal to send the player to Austria in a loan to buy deal. Celtic and Rapid agreed on a €400k loan fee for the 23-year-old but have also inserted an obligation to buy of €1.5m. The fee will be due if Tilio makes 20 competitive starts for Rapid.

However, no formal confirmation has been forthcoming and now Austrian press (Kurier Sport) are reporting that Celtic are causing the delay as they want to get bodies in the building before allowing a departure.

The suggestion appears to be that Rapid will move onto other targets if Tilio is unavailable. This seems to be the situation with Yang, who was attracting interest from Championship side Norwich but there appears to have been a breakdown in talks owing to Celtic’s inactivity.

Celtic need attackers in the building as soon as possible as Brendan looks to strengthen his side. Links have cooled but demand has grown, especially after glimpses of pre-season. The anxiety is not assisted as Rangers rearmament across the city continues ahead of the new season.

Tilio joined Celtic in a deal worth £2m last summer but after just six months, the Australian returned to Melbourne City on a loan deal. The attacker was confirmed to remain with the A-League side for the 2024/25 campaign.

The Australian winger has made just two competitive appearances for Celtic, totalling 28 minutes. It appeared clear that the signing was brought in as a project but the manager was not sold on the winger.