To see the latest training session...

The 22-year-old will be handed his first start for the club against Gold Coast United this weekend and having already made a good impression, a positive performance might well seal the deal.  

New Zealand-born McGlinchey was released by Scottish giants Celtic at the end of last season, having first arrived at the club as a nine-year-old and then signed a professional contract at 16.

A first team debut in a testimonial against Wycombe Wanderers, aged just 15, suggested a rosy future at Celtic Park but it never quite happened and he's now relishing a fresh start Down Under.  

Speaking exclusively to au.fourfourtwo.com after training, the youngster said: "I was in and about the first team squad at Celtic before kind of falling out of it. I just want to play first team football and hopefully I can do it here.

"There's life after Celtic and I'm going to give it my best shot."  

McGlinchey certainly doesn't believe his years at Celtic Park were wasted and admits it provided him with a tremendous footballing education. He's now eager to help use that education to help the Mariners.  

"I've worked and trained with some very good players. I have a good understanding of the game. I think I can bring some creativity to the team, good movement, stuff like that," he said.  

Celtic are no strangers to Australians with McGlinchey well aware of the impact made by both Mark Viduka and Scott McDonald at the Glasgow giants.

"Unfortunately I didn't get to speak to Scott about coming to Australia because I left Celtic at the end of May and this chance only came up in June," he said.

"But both Scott and Mark Viduka were/are two great players for the club. Hopefully I can do the same over here."  

McGlinchey admits it is nice to hear a couple of Scottish accents around the club though and says his potential new boss has gone out of his way to make him feel at home.  

He added: "The gaffer showed me the stadium on the first day and took me to his house for a meal. I've been made to feel very welcome.  

"Now it's about preparing for and looking forward to the match at the Gold Coast, my first game and I'll be out to impress Lawrie and do all I can."  

Mariners boss McKinna is very happy with McGlinchey's progress so far, a player who came highly recommended by the manager's contacts in Scotland.  

"In the three days he's trained, he has been very tidy on the ball," said McKinna. "He's good with both feet. He's different from what we've got.

"He has a good pedigree and if we we sign him then I'm confident he'll fit in well with this club and its ethics. Hopefully it works out for him."

To see the latest training session...