Born in Wellington, McGlinchey returned to Scotland with his parents as a baby, before progressing through the Celtic academy. The diminutive midfielder rejected an offer from Manchester United to remain at Celtic, and after making his first team debut moved on loan to Dunfermline. Despite representing Scotland at Under 20's level, McGlinchey is eligible for Ricky Herbert's New Zealand national team and debuted during the side's ultimately successful two-legged playoff for qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. McGlinchey starred in the Mariners' midfield in season five and after a brief loan spell at Scottish club Motherwell, returns looking to capitalise on what has been an amazing 12 months.