Travis, a 22-year-old Englishman, was signed by Central Coast on a free transfer during the off-season from Sheffield United.

And after working his way into the A-League side's starting line-up, he cut through the centre of the Gold Coast defence on Saturday night with a sweetly struck low drive to register his first goal in the Australian competition.

His performance as an attacking threat and his work-rate across the park stood out in Central Coast's convincing 3-0 win over Miron Bleiberg's league leaders in Gosford.

McGlinchey, also 22, signed from Celtic in the off-season, is also beginning to establish himself as first team regular after some eye-catching performances this season. The pair are forming a very handy partnership in midfield.

"Nicky came out in April and was great on the ball but defensively wasn't the best. But we liked what we saw. However, he didn't come out till around July, so he's had to bide his time," McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com. 

"But now with [Michael] McGlinchey, they've got that understanding. They're both good on the ball and comfortable and to be fair to him [Travis], he's done his defensive work well.

"Nicky's been a good signing. With his defensive game going the way it's going great, and he's comfortable on the ball. "

Travis was a fringe player at Sheffield United, a club he joined as a junior. He was loaned out to various clubs in the UK, including Chesterfield. Injuries also restricted his progress at Bramall Lane.

Reaching the age of 22, and not having broken in to the first team squad, he was set to be moved on. With the Blades and Mariners in an alliance, the move to Bluetonge stadium became possible and has benefitted both player and A-League club.

Travis has added a dash of quality on the ball. Together with McGlinchey operating just in behind the strikers, they complement a side that has made its name as a compact unit which presses well and works hard off the ball.

"Travis just needs to keep doing the simple things really well. Sometimes he does get carried away and tries the hard ball. But in the first half the other night he was outstanding and the first goal he scored was a different class," added McKinna.

McGlinchey's story is similar. The All-White was a fringe player at the Scottish giant after representing Scotland at U/19 and U/20 level. He was loaned out to Dunfermline but regular football was what he wanted.

Now, the A-League is providing the tidy linkman with senior, and regular, football. He also debuted for New Zealand last week in a friendly win over Jordan in Amman.

"I think that's one of the reasons McGlinchey came here as well. His career was stalled over in Scotland, so he came here for maybe a couple of years and he might even go to a World Cup [with New Zealand]," said McKinna.

"And they might get another opportunity to go over there (to the UK)."