>>>    click here to see the mariners train   

McGlinchey admitted to au.fourfourtwo.com that he had been dwelling on his poor goals return since he joined the Mariners for the 2010/11 season from Scottish giant Celtic.

Despite a plethora of assists, a goal in each of his first two seasons was deemed a modest return for the technically gifted McGlinchey, who put in some eye-catching performances in the club’s midfield.

“As of two weeks ago, it was playing in my head,” he said.

But now that’s all changed.

After a double for New Zealand against Tahiti last October, the skillful playmaker joined in the goals parade with his own effort as Central Coast romped to a 7-2 thumping over Sydney FC at fortress Bluetongue.

And in recent weeks, strikes against the Reds and Brisbane Roar show the 26-year-old is on track to hit coach Graham Arnold’s goal challenge he set for the Wellington-born All-White international in the off-season. 

“Arnie’s set me a goal of seven goals,” McGlinchey told au.fourfourtwo.com this week.

“My game is about contributing goals as well. It was playing in my head but now I’ve scored a few the confidence is high and I want to get more.

“It’s definitely something I’ve been working on. It’s been something that’s been lacking in my game.”

McGlinchey conceded that a lack of confidence in front of goal and playing a deeper role in a midfield diamond may’ve contributed to his goals tally before this season. 

“It’s not from a lack of trying just it’s not been happening for me but I have been working a lot in training on it," he said.

“I’ve been doing a lot more one-on-one sessions with Mossy [assistant coach Phil Moss] and doing a lot of shooting drills and really just getting my confidence back.

“And to be fair I’ve had a few efforts that just haven’t gone my way but luckily they’ve dropping in lately and hopefully I can keep it coming.

“To get the goals for the national team is definitely a confidence boost too. That’s five goals this season [domestic and international] and I just want to keep it going.”

McGlinchey gets a chance to increase his goals tally when second bottom Wellington Phoenix arrive in Gosford for tonight's Thursday evening fixture at Bluetongue.

It’s another chance for the league leading Yellow and Blue to push clear of the top two chasing pack from Victory and and Wanderers, who are looking menacing just down the F3 at Wanderland.

For Phoenix, it's a golden opportunity to reignite their stuttering campaign after a win on the weekend over fellow strugglers Perth Glory in Auckland.

However, the big picture for McGlinchey is the next World Cup.

The All-Whites are likely to win through Oceania with the fourth best nation from CONCACAF all that stands in New Zealand’s way of back-to-back World Cups for Ricki Herbert’s talented crop of players.

If the All-Whites can negotiate the likes of a Costa Rica, Jamaica or a Panama and qualify for Brazil 2014, McGlinchey could be very much wanted back in Europe after the World Cup – not that he’s in a great hurry to leave the scenic delights of Terrigal and the Mariners’ impressive new training base at Tuggerah.

“I think to be honest it’s the best thing I’ve done,” he said of his move to the A-League.

“I’m a late developer and I never really got a chance till I was 22, and I think I’ve gone from strength to strength since I’ve been at the Mariners.”

And a big part of this rejuvenation in his career has come from the confidence and belief afforded to him by his coach Graham Arnold.

“I don’t think I’ve missed a game under ‘Arnie’ – it’s that belief that you’re going to play week in week out," said McGlinchey.

:And tactically I’ve enjoyed it. It’s all ball to feet rather than long balls, which suits me down to the ground. I have thought about going back to Europe but at the moment I’m enjoying it so much here.”

Learning his trade at Celtic’s academy as a youth, it was all ball-to-feet, McGlinchey recalled.

“The Celtic Way” is very much a technical approach even though many other clubs in Scotland opt for the more direct approach. 

It didn’t suit the slightly built McGlinchey who found limited chances in the first team (one game in 2005 is his only highlight reel) although he represented Scotland at youth level.

But in March, World Cup qualifiers for New Zealand are likely to rob the Mariners of their playmaker, he’s certain of the depth of the Central Coast squad can cope as they aim to finally win a golden toilet seat. 

However, on the Premiership versus Championship debate, he’s firmly with the traditionalists.

“For me, to be honest my goal is to win the league. I’ve still got that British mentality like Monty [Nick Montgomery] and a lot of the boys," McGlinchey said. 

“Last year we won it in Wellington and the boys got a pat on the back and then it was like, ‘onto the finals now’ and the boys were a bit like, huh?”

It’s a point echoed by his teammate Bernie Ibini and of course Arnold who has stated the Championship finals are now more of a lottery than the home and away season.

“The whole pre-season is for the league,” added McGlinchey. “No-one thinks of the grand final when they’re running hard in pre-season.

“I want the Premiership and the rest should take care of itself. It’s hard though but if you asked me now I’d take the Premiership.”

♦ In other team news, keeper Justin Pasfield will remain with Central Coast Mariners for a further season after he inked a new one-season deal.

But defender Jimmy Oates has been released after an ankle injury blighted his season. Oates has been offered an open invitation to train with the Mariners in the next pre-season.

   >>>    click here to see the mariners train