Less than a month ago, Michael McGlinchey was without a club after being let go by Scottish Premier League giant Celtic at the end of last season. Today, the diminutive midfielder’s life couldn’t be more different to what it was when he left Parkhead, after winning a call up to the New Zealand National team.
Less than a month ago, Michael McGlinchey was without a club after being let go by Scottish Premier League giant Celtic at the end of last season. Today, the diminutive midfielder-s life couldn-t be more different to what it was when he left Parkhead, after winning a call up to the New Zealand National team.
McGlinchey signed a two year deal with the Central Coast Mariners just before the start of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season on the back of impressive trials against Gold coast united and Wellington Phoenix, and has been a standout performer in the Mariners opening two fixtures of the season.
That form has been justly rewarded today, with All Whites coach Ricki Herbert naming the Wellington-born 22-year-old in his 18-man squad for a friendly against Jordan in Amman on Wednesday, 9 September, subject to FIFA approval.
“It-s a great honour,” McGlinchey said.
“Obviously I grew up in Scotland and represented at Under 20-s level, but I was born in New Zealand and I just hope I can get on the park and do a good job for Ricki.
“I can-t thank (Mariners Football Manager) Lawrie (McKinna) enough. He-s been great and gave me a chance to come over here and prove what I could do. I know I-m good enough, and I-m just looking forward to repaying the faith he-s shown in me by representing the Mariners well when I play for New Zealand,” McGlinchey said.
McGlinchey, who was born in the New Zealand capital while his father Norman was playing for Lower Hutt, moved back to Scotland when he was a baby, before progressing through the ranks at Celtic, making his first team debut against Livingstone as an 18 year old in 2005.
Now enjoying life on the other side of the world, McGlinchey now finds himself just two matches away from representing his homeland on the world-s biggest stage.
“If I can get on and do well in Jordan hopefully Ricki will look at me for the (World Cup) playoffs (against either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia), and who knows after that. As a wee lad you grow up watching the World Cup and it-s what every footballer wants to be a part of.
“If New Zealand can qualify over the two legs and I could get on the plane to South Africa then it would be a dream come true. But I can-t get ahead of myself, hopefully get on and do well in Jordan, and continue doing well for the Mariners,” McGlinchey said.
Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna has paid tribute to his new signing-s progress.
“He-s been fantastic from the very first day he joined us, he fits in to the squad well on and off the park, and it-s a good reward for him.
“We play Perth in Canberra on the Friday night (4 September), and he-ll be available to fly out after that, but it-ll be a great experience for the lad and if he does well who knows, he could be off to the World Cup next year,” McKinna said.
McGlinchey will line up with the rest of his Mariners teammates in the club-s next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season against local rival Sydney FC is this Saturday, 22 August. Kick-off is at 3pm. Tickets are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online by clicking here or by phoning 1300 767 442.
