The 26-year-old joined the Mariners in 2009 and has gone on to make 110 appearances with the side and, despite interest from other clubs, says he is pleased to be continuing his career with the Mariners.
“I think if you’re happy with a team you shouldn’t really hesitate to stay, so I’m glad I made the decision,” McGlinchey says.
“I was pretty confident I was always going to be staying here. I think just the way we’ve been playing football, the club’s stability – I think it’s the best place for me to be for the next couple of years.”
The New Zealand international says the World Cup was a large incentive for him to stay in this part of the world, as was the chance to continue developing under Mariners coach Graham Arnold.
“Arnie was a massive incentive for me to stay. I’ve been playing some of my best football under him,” he says.
“I’ve been consistent in the team, I don’t think I’ve missed a game under him and just having a manager with that sort of belief in a player – that’s all you need. You just want to play under the guys that have got confidence in you and that’s a big factor in me staying.”
Arnold says keeping McGlinchey at the club was a major priority and he’s happy they were able to beat off interest from other clubs to retain his services for two more years.
“Mikey is an important part of our team for a number of reasons. He can play a number of positions, offers great energy and enthusiasm to the team on the field and is a great club man off the pitch,” Arnold says.
“I believe Mikey is one of the best attacking players in the A-League. His career has flourished in his time here, he’s been to a World Cup and the Olympics, and there is the promise of much more for him to come if he continues to work hard on his game.”
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