Soccer: NZ Cup squad offers life after Celtic

Michael McGlinchey is now with the Mariners. Photo / Getty Images

"It's crazy how football can turn out," says Michael McGlinchey, pausing for a moment to reflect.

There's a lot to consider. In December 2005, McGlinchey received a standing ovation by 60,000 fans on his Celtic debut.

When he came on as a substitute against Livingston, he became the youngest player to debut for the Hoops in a Scottish Premier League game. He was 17.

In 2003, he became the youngest to ever play for the Celtic first team when he came on as a substitute in a testimonial game against Wycombe Wanderers. He was 15.

Earlier, Martin O'Neill had convinced him to choose Celtic over Manchester United. Parkhead over Old Trafford. What a decision.

The creative midfielder also played for Scotland at the under-19 European Championships, helping them reach the final, and Under-20 World Cup the following year.

He was so sure of progressing to the full national side, he turned down an approach to play for New Zealand at the Olympics.

At 22, McGlinchey was on the scrapheap. One of Scottish football's brightest talents couldn't get a game.

In the five years he remained at Celtic following his Premier League debut, he never played top-flight football again. He fell out of favour with Gordon Strachan and that was that. There's no way back when the manager doesn't want you.

He picked up a handful of games on loan for Dunfermline in the First Division before injury cut short his move and in May, his Celtic career finally ended when he was released.

McGlinchey just wanted to play. Anywhere. Toronto were keen but MLS red tape prevented that. Partick Thistle took a look at him but nothing concrete emerged.

McGlinchey was so desperate for a game he travelled to Australia for a trial with A-League side Central Coast.

"It was the best decision I made to come over here and play. It's been brilliant."

Adding to his enthusiasm is that last week he was named in an 18-man All Whites squad for next month's friendly against Jordan. In two months he could play in the World Cup playoff.

A Fifa rule change means players who played youth internationals for one country can play for another at senior level with no time frame on making that decision.

"I didn't know the rules had changed until I got to Australia," McGlinchey says in his thick Glaswegian accent. "I heard the second day after I arrived.

"I'm delighted [All Whites coach] Ricki Herbert has given me an opportunity to get back involved in international football.When Ricki asked me, I said yes right there. Things have changed in the last two years."

MICHAEL McGLINCHEY was born in Wellington in 1987. His father had come over to play for Stop Out and Lower Hutt for two seasons but returned to Scotland when his son was nine months old.

The first time McGlinchey will return to New Zealand will be when his Central Coast side play the Wellington Phoenix next month. The second time could be when the All Whites take on either Saudi Arabia or Bahrain in the second leg of their World Cup playoff.

McGlinchey could be the ingredient missing from New Zealand's midfield.

"Hopefully I can add some spice to the team. I'm a creative player and I think I could provide some opportunities for the strikers and maybe pitch in with a few goals myself."

He scored on debut for the Mariners, in their upset 2-0 win over champions Melbourne in the first A-League game of the season, and has since set up another two.

McGlinchey and Rory Fallon, who was also called up following Fifa's rule change, will play in next month's friendly with Jordan. Herbert needs to see play before settling on his team.

"It's late to bring them into the squad but they are two excellent acquisitions," Herbert says. "Michael is good technically, is good on the ball and has pace. He could make a difference for us."

McGlinchey played regularly with All Whites striker Chris Killen for Celtic reserves. He's liked what he's seen of Gold Coast striker Shane Smeltz and knows of 'Robbie Nielson' (Ryan Nelsen) but has little idea about the rest.

He'll be on trial against Jordan but he's not worried, he's had plenty of those in his time.

If McGlinchey does make the World Cup, he will appreciate it. He didn't fully comprehend what he achieved at Celtic as a teenager and assumed it was just the start of things.

"When I made my big breakthrough against Livingston I thought, 'this is it'. You just think everything must come this easy, when you get on in front of 60,000 at Parkhead. You think football is an easy game.

"But you soon find out it's not like that and you have to work as hard as you can to stay in the first-team environment.

"At the time you're just looking forward to the next game. Now when you look back you think, 'you did play for Celtic' and it's a massive team. There's life after Celtic. I'm only 22 and feel like I have a long way to go in the game. I'm only starting out."