For 21 years, Michael McGlinchey has wondered what life is like in his country of birth.
For 21 years, Michael McGlinchey has wondered what life is like in his country of birth.
Born in Wellington while his father was playing professionally for Lower Hutt, McGlinchey was just a baby when his Scottish parents returned home from their short stint in the antipodes, and young Michael grew up a typical Scottish boy, worshipping football, and harbouring what would prove to be successful dreams to wear the famous hoops of Celtic. He-d never returned to his homeland, until now.
Flying through the winds that cause a notoriously bumpy landing into Wellington, McGlinchey is sure to be going through a range of emotions as he returns for the first time, to a country he has already represented at senior level.
“I-m looking forward to going back,” said McGlinchey.
“I-ve never been back before and when the whole situation (moving from Scotland to the Hyundai A-League) came up, that was the first fixture we looked at, the Wellington away game, so I-m looking forward to returning.”
But sentiment aside, McGlinchey agrees this is no time for reminiscing. After a 3-nil thrashing of competition heavyweight Gold Coast United in round 7, this trip is more about three points than tourist photos.
“We want to build on the performance against the Gold Coast.
“We had a good win and hopefully we can get another three points against Wellington away, it would be a good three points.
“They-re similar to us, they have a good defence, but we are playing well now, and we know if we can create chances we can put them away,” said McGlinchey.
The Mariners have a poor recent record against the Phoenix, after winning the first four meetings between the two sides, the Yellow and Navy has failed to score a goal, and has picked up just a solitary point in their four most recent meetings.
McGlinchey has already got one up on one of his New Zealand international teammates after the 3-nil win over Shane Smeltz-s Gold Coast, and hopes that trend continues.
“I-ll have a bit of banter with him, but hopefully I-ll be able to have more banter with more New Zealand boys, there-s more in that team (Wellington) so I-d like to beat them as well!” laughed McGlinchey.
He-ll be wearing All-White with pride in a two-legged World Cup playoff against Bahrain in October and November, but this time at least, Michael McGlinchey-s national pride will be put to one side.
The Mariners next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against North Queensland Fury on Sunday, 11 October. Kick-off is at 3:00pm. Tickets for this match are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online by clicking here or by phoning 1300 767 442.
