MIDFIELD dynamo Michael McGlinchey has committed the next two years of his professional football career to Central Coast Mariners FC, inking an extension to his current deal with the Hyundai A-League table-toppers
MIDFIELD dynamo Michael McGlinchey (picture above) has committed the next two years of his professional football career to Central Coast Mariners FC, inking an extension to his current deal with the Hyundai A-League table-toppers.
26-year-old McGlinchey linked with the Mariners in 2009 and has since made an impressive 110 competitive appearances for the yellow and navy.
The New Zealand international has blossomed into one of the Hyundai A-League-s most influential midfielders during his time with the men from Bluetongue Stadium, and it has been this consistent and eye-catching form that attracted the advances of several rival A-League clubs eager to secure his signature.
Nevertheless, McGlinchey explained that he is delighted to remain with the Mariners until at least the end of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League campaign, feeing the club provides the ideal environment for him to keep growing as player.
“It has been going on for a while now and I am just happy to have reached an agreement so that I can stay another two years with the Mariners,” McGlinchey said of his contract negotiation process.
“I think there is good stability at the club, and playing under Arnie (Graham Arnold) is a big factor for me. I-ve played some of my best stuff under him and I think it is beneficial for me to continue developing here.”
“I came out in 2009 and I think as the years have gone on I-ve performed better. This is down to the way I have been coached, and I still have a lot of learning to do. The Mariners feel like the best place for me to keep learning.”
McGlinchey acknowledged that off-field factors, including the happiness of he and his wife Rachel in living life on the Central Coast, contributed to his decision to remain with the reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers.
Moreover, the opportunity to continue featuring in Asia-s premier club competition, the AFC Champions League, influenced the former Celtic FC man-s choice to stay put.
Central Coast Mariners boss Arnold expressed his delight that a key member of his squad now had his immediate football future figured out.
“Mikey is an important part of our team for a number of reasons,” Arnold said. “He can play a number of positions, offers great energy and enthusiasm to the team on the field, and is a great clubman off the pitch.”
“His career has flourished in his time here, he-s been to a World Cup and the Olympics, and there-s the promise of much more for him to come if he continues to work hard on his game.”
“I believe Mikey is one of the best attacking players in the A-League and he was a major priority to keep at the club. I am so happy that we beat off the advances of bigger clubs to retain him and the fact Mikey has re-signed speaks volumes about what the player and the Mariners are all about.”
Mariners Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, said: “From the moment Mikey arrived at the Mariners he has been wonderful to have at the club. He is a true pro, but also epitomises the Mariners’ culture and work ethic, always striving to achieve more and more.”
“Mikey proves what can be achieved here. When he initially joined us he had no inkling that by coming and playing for the Mariners he would travel to a World Cup and an Olympic Games. He is now a senior player and a great role model for our brigade of youngsters.”
