BaysideMariner
Well-Known Member
Celtic reject Michael McGlinchey has point to prove to SPL
At the end of last season Michael McGlinchey was released by Celtic, aged 22, having made three first-team appearances.
By Ewing Grahame
Published: 7:40PM GMT 08 Feb 2010
The midfielder, who represented Scotland at the 1987 Under-20 World Cup, anticipated picking up his career in the SPL but, in spite of contacting every senior club in the country, he was dismayed that no one would even offer him a game on a try-before-you-buy basis.
That rejection has proved to be best thing that ever happened to him, although it didnt seem that way at the time. Through contacts in Australia, his agent, Jim Harkins, found him a two-year deal with A League club Central Coast Mariners.
Sport on television Almost simultaneously, a rule change from governing body Fifa allowed McGlinchey, who was born in Wellington while his father played for a local club, to represent New Zealand.
He was immediately called up by the All Whites in time for their World Cup play-offs with Bahrain and now he has the finals in South Africa to look forward to.
Now, with the Australian season finished, McGlinchey has suddenly found himself in demand and hes back in Scotland on loan to Motherwell. It feels different to be back on a muddy Scottish training pitch again, he said. Its the first time Ive worn a set of studs in about a year. I feel like Im churning through the grass at times but Ive got the buzz back.
Now I just want to get involved as much as I can. There was no doubt in my mind about coming back to Scotland.
As soon as my agent told me about the move, I wanted to be here. Especially as Im getting the chance to work under experienced guys like Craig Brown and Archie Knox.
Scottish football rejected me but I dont hold grudges. It just happened that I ended up in Australia. I thought I did well out there and earned the New Zealand call-up. But there were no hard feelings.
McGlinchey still cant understand why Scottish clubs werent interested in him last year but his time at Fir Park has provided him with the opportunity to show them what theyve missed.
I was puzzled when I left Celtic and no one offered me anything, he said. I was just looking for an opportunity even a two-week trial somewhere. I needed a chance but it was the Mariners who gave me that and I wouldnt change how its all worked out for me.
As soon as I landed in Australia, the New Zealand boss, Ricki Herbert, told me the eligibility rules had changed and I could play for the Kiwis.
I had no hesitation and my first game was against Jordan. From then I played in the World Cup play-off against Bahrain and I cant believe whats happened.
Weve got a game against Mexico in Los Angeles on March 3 and Im hoping the stint here at Motherwell will be beneficial for me and for New Zealand.
I havent played in many big games so far in my career. My debut for Motherwell could be against Rangers but after experiencing the Bahrain play-off I feel Im ready for anything.
Playing against the champions at Fir Park is a great start for me and hopefully Ill get the nod. Its a chance for me to prove a few people wrong who didnt take a chance on me when I left Celtic. Im in the shop window and Ill be doing everything I can for Motherwell.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/motherwell/7190494/Celtic-reject-Michael-McGlinchey-has-point-to-prove-to-SPL.html
At the end of last season Michael McGlinchey was released by Celtic, aged 22, having made three first-team appearances.
By Ewing Grahame
Published: 7:40PM GMT 08 Feb 2010
The midfielder, who represented Scotland at the 1987 Under-20 World Cup, anticipated picking up his career in the SPL but, in spite of contacting every senior club in the country, he was dismayed that no one would even offer him a game on a try-before-you-buy basis.
That rejection has proved to be best thing that ever happened to him, although it didnt seem that way at the time. Through contacts in Australia, his agent, Jim Harkins, found him a two-year deal with A League club Central Coast Mariners.
Sport on television Almost simultaneously, a rule change from governing body Fifa allowed McGlinchey, who was born in Wellington while his father played for a local club, to represent New Zealand.
He was immediately called up by the All Whites in time for their World Cup play-offs with Bahrain and now he has the finals in South Africa to look forward to.
Now, with the Australian season finished, McGlinchey has suddenly found himself in demand and hes back in Scotland on loan to Motherwell. It feels different to be back on a muddy Scottish training pitch again, he said. Its the first time Ive worn a set of studs in about a year. I feel like Im churning through the grass at times but Ive got the buzz back.
Now I just want to get involved as much as I can. There was no doubt in my mind about coming back to Scotland.
As soon as my agent told me about the move, I wanted to be here. Especially as Im getting the chance to work under experienced guys like Craig Brown and Archie Knox.
Scottish football rejected me but I dont hold grudges. It just happened that I ended up in Australia. I thought I did well out there and earned the New Zealand call-up. But there were no hard feelings.
McGlinchey still cant understand why Scottish clubs werent interested in him last year but his time at Fir Park has provided him with the opportunity to show them what theyve missed.
I was puzzled when I left Celtic and no one offered me anything, he said. I was just looking for an opportunity even a two-week trial somewhere. I needed a chance but it was the Mariners who gave me that and I wouldnt change how its all worked out for me.
As soon as I landed in Australia, the New Zealand boss, Ricki Herbert, told me the eligibility rules had changed and I could play for the Kiwis.
I had no hesitation and my first game was against Jordan. From then I played in the World Cup play-off against Bahrain and I cant believe whats happened.
Weve got a game against Mexico in Los Angeles on March 3 and Im hoping the stint here at Motherwell will be beneficial for me and for New Zealand.
I havent played in many big games so far in my career. My debut for Motherwell could be against Rangers but after experiencing the Bahrain play-off I feel Im ready for anything.
Playing against the champions at Fir Park is a great start for me and hopefully Ill get the nod. Its a chance for me to prove a few people wrong who didnt take a chance on me when I left Celtic. Im in the shop window and Ill be doing everything I can for Motherwell.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/motherwell/7190494/Celtic-reject-Michael-McGlinchey-has-point-to-prove-to-SPL.html
