Motherwell’s McGlinchey happy to back in action in Scotland

Motherwell recruit Michael McGlinchey is delighted to be back in the Scottish Premier League again.

The 23-year old New Zealand international has joined Motherwell on loan for the rest of the season from A-League club Central Coast Mariners and made his debut for the club in the 0-0 draw at Hamilton on the weekend.

“It was certainly a lot faster and it's about getting used to the pace again. The last year I've been playing at a pace that's a lot slower,” said McGinchey, his one and only SPL match coming for Celtic against Livingston in 2005.

"But at the same time it was nice to get back in among the challenges of Scottish football.

"It's good for the lungs too. It's not nice playing in the heat.

"People might think it would be but it's draining so I'd rather play in these conditions.”

McGlinchey’s last match with the Mariners provided much different weather conditions to what he experienced in Scotland on the weekend and said he much rather prefers playing in the cold.

"The last game in Perth was about 35 degrees, we were down 3-0 at half-time and it was a bit of a slog actually,” he added.

"The heat means the games are slowed right down and the coaches actually tell you not to press the opposition's back four. They prefer you to sit off and if they've got it then it's fine.

"But here it's more about being on your man like a rash and it's good because it gets the team up the park.

"I like the slow football, but it does get frustrating at times when you just can't go because you're exhausted from the heat and humidity.

“I've had some three-hour and five-hour flights over in Australia to away games too so it was nice this match was just five minutes down the road!”

Although he does enjoy the beaches and weather of New South Wales, McGlinchey is chasing a World Cup dream which he said was the main reason for making the move back to Scotland.

"As nice as it would be, I didn't want to be sitting on the beach for three months thinking about the World Cup,” he added further.

"I just wanted to get into the football, train with Archie Knox and the gaffer at Motherwell and I think it's going to do me the world of good and hopefully get me to the World Cup."