Scottish Newspaper on weeMac & AW

Nov 8 2009 Scott Mcdermott, Sunday Mail

MICHAEL McGLINCHEY trudged out of Parkhead with a pair of boots and shattered dreams.

Discarded by Celtic and shunned by Scottish football. He was written off as yet another kid who couldn't cut it at the top.

Now? He's just 90 minutes away from the sport's summit - a place at the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year with New Zealand.

McGlinchey's story is fairytale stuff. Despite being hailed as one of Scotland's top youngsters when he knocked back Manchester United to sign for the Hoops he failed to make the breakthrough.

And six months ago he wondered if he would ever kick a ball again. But since then a dream move to Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners has resulted in a Kiwi call-up.

McGlinchey was born in Wellington and even though he moved back to Scotland before his first birthday he had no hesitation in switching allegiances when coach Ricki Herbert came calling.

The Kiwis face Bahrain in the second leg of their critical World Cup play-off on Saturday after a goalless first leg.

They know a victory will take them to a major tournament for the first time since 1982.

McGlinchey can't quite believe his turnaround in fortunes and told MailSport: "I can't put into words what the last few months have been like. It has been a roller-coaster.

"When I left Celtic I was struggling for a club. It was a situation I never pictured myself being in.

"Then the chance to go to Australia came up and I gave it a go. Just after landing, the eligibility rules changed - meaning I could still play for New Zealand.

"From there it has snowballed and I'm loving every minute.

"I had a double trial in a game against Wellington Phoenix. Ricki is their manager so I was trying to impress him and the Mariners gaffer Lawrie McKinney at the same time.

"After that Lawrie signed me and Ricki called me up to the New Zealand squad.

"I wanted to come here and prove people wrong. Hopefully I've done that and getting to the World Cup would cap it all."

McGlinchey looks likely to start against Bahrain alongside the likes of Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen.

Clinching a World Cup spot could change his life forever and he admits he feels he has settled right in.

Michael said: "I'm now officially a Kiwi. It was weird at first.

"I came on in Bahrain and did well so I feel as if I've been accepted and part of the squad now."