Melbourne City star Marco Tilio focusing on keeping first-team spot in strong squad

Marco Tilio is likely to move overseas but for now, the star attacker’s only goal is maintaining his spot in Melbourne City’s top team.

Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio celebrates scoring a goal. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Socceroos attacker Marco Tilio is concentrating on keeping his spot in star-studded Melbourne City’s starting team rather than concerning himself with a potential move overseas.

While City coach Rado Vidosic believes it’s inevitable Tilio will be snapped up by a foreign club, the 21-year-old forward is taking nothing for granted even at A-League level.

Having started the season on the bench, Tilio has worked his way into City’s top 11 at the expense of another Socceroo, Andrew Nabbout.

But with competition leaders City having drawn their past two games and being held scoreless for the first time this season last weekend, Tilio isn’t resting on his laurels ahead of his side’s battle with Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Sunday.

“I’m here to perform for the team and do my job – that’s all I focus on,” he said.

“I do what I can each day in training and come game day, I know what I can provide for the team.

“The most important thing is to keep performing. Whatever happens after that is out of my hands, so I just continue to do what I can do.

“I’m just hoping to continue my form for the rest of the season and hopefully it takes me somewhere at the end of this year.”

Marco Tilio (right) celebrates with his Melbourne City teammate Jamie Maclaren. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

Vidosic said City were “not planning” to lose Tilio or anyone else in the squad in the current transfer window.

“(That is) unless a big offer comes for someone and then the club needs to look at that,” City’s mentor said.

“At the moment, I have not been invited for that conversation.”

Vidosic was confident City would return to their goalscoring ways after a “rare” off day in front of goal in last Saturday night’s 0-0 draw with Brisbane Roar at Kayo Stadium.

“It comes down to individual mindset,” he said.

“Instead of having a shot, can we look for another pass? Or instead of looking for another pass, can we have a shot?

“It is down to individual decision making, it is down to playing to our principles … (and) it’s something that we’ve been working on this week.”

Vidosic said talented left-back Jordan Bos was on target to return this weekend after missing the trip to Brisbane due to a concussion.

Should Bos play, it’s likely to be at the expense of club captain Scott Jamieson.

“He has recovered really well,” Vidosic said of Bos.

“After (Saturday’s training session) we will make up our minds on who is going to start, and whether we’ll make any changes or not.”

Originally published as Melbourne City star Marco Tilio focusing on keeping first-team spot in strong squad