Michael McGlinchey

Club

Clyde

Position

Forward

Nationality

New Zealand

Date of birth

1987-01-07

Birthplace

Wellington, New Zealand

Height

1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)

Signing / transfer fee

Signed

Michael Ryan McGlinchey (born 7 January 1987) is a New Zealand international footballer who plays for Weston Bears in the National Premier Leagues.

McGlinchey played youth football with Scottish club Celtic, where he made his professional debut. After spending time on loan to Dunfermline Athletic, he joined Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, where he made over 100 appearances. In his time at the club he spent periods on loan at Motherwell in 2010 and with Vegalta Sendai in 2014. He joined Wellington Phoenix in 2014 after securing a release from the Mariners.

McGlinchey represented Scotland at under-20 and under-21 level, but changed allegiance to New Zealand, his country of birth, at senior level. He was a member of the New Zealand national team squad at the 2010 World Cup and was one of New Zealand's over-age players at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He has made over twenty-five appearances for New Zealand, scoring four goals.

Club career
Celtic
McGlinchey, a midfielder, was brought through the ranks at Scottish giants Celtic and was persuaded by then-manager Martin O'Neill at the age of 17 to resist the temptation to sign a professional contract with Manchester United and sign with the club he supported as a youngster. McGlinchey made his Celtic debut against Livingston as a substitute in December 2005. It was his sole appearance for the Scottish Premier League team, as O'Neill was replaced by Gordon Strachan and McGlinchey found himself moving to the fringes.

During the 2007–08 season he was then loaned out to Scottish First Division club Dunfermline Athletic until 20 January 2008. Although McGlinchey was successful during his loan deal at the First Division club, his loan was terminated early after he suffered a groin injury. He was released by Celtic in May 2009.

Central Coast Mariners
McGlinchey then had a successful trial with Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, signing a two-year deal with the club.

He made his Mariners debut against Melbourne Victory in the A-League season opener on 6 August 2009, and also scored his first goal for the club on debut in the 2–0 upset win over the reigning champions. It was also his first professional goal ever.

With the 2009–10 A-League season drawing to a close, McGlinchey decided to seek more first team football in the off season as buildup to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, signing a season-long loan deal with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.

Dispute
McGlinchey tried to leave th