I have absolutely nothing against Marco Tilio. I think he’s pretty good, in fact. But his selection on Friday for the Socceroos left many bemused.

Arnie has said forever that if you want to be picked then you have to be playing and doing well for your club. Tilio has played twice for Celtic so far this season, coming off the bench, and has done very little to enthuse the fans.

Mostly, he’s not even made the bench, since returning from injury, and the Celtic fan forum rates him very lowly indeed. “Not good enough for our squad,” seems to be the prevailing opinion.

Compare him with similar creative, attacking players like… Garang Kuol or Daniel Arzani.

Kuol has played lots of games in the Eredivisie this season, has at least one assist and scored the goal of the month just recently. His team (FC Volendam) might be struggling in the relegation zone but the Dutch league is way superior to the SPL and Kuol is playing most weeks. (Won a few MOTM awards also.)

I’d say that’s better than NOT playing in the SPL.

Daniel Arzani has absolutely starred for a resurgent Melbourne Victory in recent times. He’s just about back to his best and dominating matches – scoring goals and pulling the strings. He’s exactly the sort of creative player that we lack in the squad selected and could have been amazing at the Asian Cup.

So why… when Arnie has always made such a big deal about picking on form… has Tilio somehow made the cut over Kuol and Arzani?

Kuol I get. No doubt he’s been earmarked for the Olyroo tournament so a deal has doubtless been done. But Arzani?

Arzani is not eligible (I think) for the Olyroos and has been playing well in the A League. Regular readers will be aware of my views regarding the relative qualities of the A League and SPL but it doesn’t take an Einstein to work out that playing in the A League has to be better than not playing in the SPL.

Playing for Carlingford Under Eights (as Aaron Mooy once did) is better than not playing in the SPL.

I am actually quite pissed off about Tilio’s selection (which might be evident). I repeat I have nothing against him and actually quite like him as a player… but he’s not been playing!

What are you doing Arnie?

What sort of message does this send? Especially when you’ve said forever that only players in form will be picked.

Arzani would have been amazing at the Asian Cup. We all know how good he’s been in the past and he’s showing that form again. His dead balls alone ought to have him in the side, let alone his ability to beat the first defender and play through the channels.

There are some interesting selections for the Asian Cup but Tilio instead of Arzani?

I’m now looking forward to it just slightly less.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) was published by Hague Publishing in July 2023. The ebook can be purchased here and the paperback can be ordered here or at your local store.