I won't be last wonder-kid to not make the grade, says Celtic flop Michael McGlinchey <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=headerTable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=* border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Jan 29 2009
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</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>By Gordon Parks
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SEVEN years ago Michael McGlinchey was paraded in the centre circle at Parkhead as Celtic's next big star. Last night he was thinking over a switch to Dundalk.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
It's a spectacular fall from grace for a kid who was once the most-wanted player in the country. But McGlinchey hopes his cautionary tale can help today's crop of highly-rated kids dodge the pitfalls of being labelled Scotland's "next superstar".
And he warned SPL superkids John Fleck and James McCarthy they are just one wrong step away from the football scrapheap.
Within months of McGlinchey inking his Parkhead deal, the hysteria mounted as Martin O'Neill handed him an outing against Wycombe in a friendly that earned him the status of being the youngest player in history to pull on the Hoops.
As he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton the League of Ireland didn't feature in his dreams.
But the 22-year-old's imminent move to Dundalk, who are managed by Joe Miller, should act as a nightmarish reminder of the pitfalls for any would-be wonder boy with the world at his feet.
Rangers teenager Fleck and Hamilton kid McCarthy would be advised to pay heed to the former sensation as he struggles to find out where it all went wrong.
McGlinchey said: "I have to accept there is just nothing here for me in Scotland and if I have to move to Irish football to prove myself again that's what I'll do.
"It doesn't seem that long ago when Tommy Burns and Martin O'Neill were chapping my parents' door to talk me into signing for Celtic.
"There was no way I could have turned the chance down but it's hard to believe I have gone from being chased by Britain's biggest clubs to deciding over a move to Dundalk to get my career back on track.
"I'm not the first player to be labelled a 'wonder boy' who has drifted away and I won't be the last. John Fleck is having his time at the moment and I hope for his sake that he takes it and doesn't just drift away. Some players get into a first team for a minute and then they vanish.
"I've played against him a few times and he's an exceptional talent but from my experience it's hard to maintain the hype.
"People have expectations of you and it's almost impossible to live up to them but that's what John will now find out. James McCarthy is another name being linked with some of the big clubs and he's another great young player carrying the burden of being billed as the next big thing every time he plays.
"For both their sakes I hope they do well but let's just say a move to Dundalk was never part of my plan."
After starring for the Scotland Under-19s in their European Championship heroics in Poland two years ago, McGlinchey's fall from grace has been sharp.
The midfielder found himself blackballed by his country in the wake of critical comments about Archie Gemmill after the shambolic Under-20 World Cup campaign in Canada 12 months later and has failed to add to his one top-team appearance at Celtic.
He said: "Football is a fickle game and things haven't gone well for me. Some players can look at how they conduct themselves and their lifestyle as a reason why it turns sour but I've always tried to do be the best professional I can.
"Maybe I'm not Gordon Strachan's kind of player but the club have told me I may still get a new deal when my current one ends in six months but I don't think I could handle much more of not playing.
"I'm not alone in being out of the first-team picture as my mate Ryan Conroy broke into the side last season but hasn't had a sniff since.
"You have the exceptions to the rule with players such as Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney. But at a club like Celtic there are very few opportunities to play in the top team and I've even found myself struggling to get a game in the reserves.
"I now know I've stayed at Celtic for one or maybe two years too many as the experience has been soul-destroying."
McGlinchey will decide in the next 48 hours whether or not to join up with former Celt Miller's League of Ireland big spenders.
He said: "I don't know what the standard of football is like but it may be the only option as there's nothing here for me. That's where guys like Tommy Burns were fantastic as I would have gone to him for advice.
"I'll never stop believing in my ability and I'll find a platform where I'll fulfil my potential. The Michael McGlinchey of seven years ago and all the wonder-boy stuff is in the past.
"But I was a good player then and I'm still a good player and I'm determined to prove that wherever I play."
He seems to be a bit jaded & who can blame him - I'm not too sure it sheds a good light on our recent transfer policy of bringing in young kids.
If we don't play them then there's not much point in bringing them in, maybe he wasn't good enough?
All hype no trousers?
Discuss Mike McGlinchey scaring off new young players? in the Celtic Chat area at TalkCeltic.net.
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hairytoes
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well he's off the same generation as McGeady and maybe even Mick and Maloney. I reckon we give the kids a chance if they are good enough and I think his message that kids shouldn't get too far up there own arses with the hype is probably a correct message.
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Hasn't progressed from the time he was labelled the wonderkid, he won't be the last for that to happen to. He just sounds gutted more than anything.
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what makes you say that?? because he hasent broken into fist team yet?
I went to school with Michael, and still keep in contact with him now
and then. From what he has said he's still intrested in celtic.
I just takes people longer to make it big in football, give him another few years, dont forget he's only 23 there is still plenty of time to make his mark -
SwoopingVulture
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Hate to say it mate but 23 ain't young for an offensive player.
Look at our midfield last night, Crosas 21, McGeady 22 and Brown 23, all of them have been in or around first teams for a number of years, have CL experience, international experience (in the case of Brown and McGeady) and Crosas has previously played for Barca and Lyon!
A player getting a break has as much to do with luck with injuries ie an injury crisis hitting the team in their position letting them get their chance. I still think that if Caddis had not gotten inured at the same time as every other fullback at the club a year ago we wouldn't have signed Hinkle and he'd probably be first choice number 2 by now. -
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mog gave bobo £30,000 pw gawd . If he was good enough he woulda made it look at burchill never as good in reality as he was in his own head
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He's just turned 22.
I say that as I watch the reserves and he is no better now than he was 3 years ago. Like he says, he's on the bench more often than not these days. -
The signing of McCourt must have been the biggest insult imaginable for this player, I wish him well whatever he goes on to do.
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I have been told personally by Peter Lawwell that the young signings WILL get a chance, that Celtic cannot compete in attracting big names due to salary demands and therefore youth development is the way forward. This is really encouraging for the new boys who have recently signed but it obviously is no use to Michael McGlinchey right now. My heart goes out to him. I hope he does well in whatever he chooses to do and hope that Mr Lawwell is true to his word.
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RafaelScheidt
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Poor guy, he gave enough service to the club to get a run out, he wasn't put on even in most friendles
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Forgot about him shame that it's turned out that way for him wish him luck for the future.
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He isn't the first and he won't be the last. But those who are good enough will make it. McGlinchey is still young and can still build himself a career.
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Quiet Assassin
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That could have been written by any one of 100 young players. To make the jump to 1st team football isn't just about being skillfull as a lot of luck and other factors come into the equation.
I think the guy's simply being a realist. There's nothing to suggest he won't get another chance but I admire him for at least recognising he's better of moving and playing regularly rather than turning his * square sitting on the bench!
Wish the lad all the luck in the world and hope to hear good things of him :celt_2: -
alsybhoy
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i feel sorry for him but if he isnt good enough for us then tough....remember what big jock said "the celtic shirt does not shrink to fit inferior players"!!!!
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trouble is he is a midget and lacks strength
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maybe in jocks time but not before it and certainly not after it, i could name you 10-20 diddies off the top of my head that shouldn't have gotten near a celtic shirt.
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He didn't progress as expected and he was partial to believing his own hype. FAIL!
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I actually met him at the cinema in Hamilton. He was coming out after watching 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'.
So obviously his taste in films was about as good as his football ability. -
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I personally know him and he has told me that Dumfermline wanted him, and he wanted to go, he asked WGS if he could go and he told him no as he wants money for him and Dumfermline werent up for the cash.He was pleading to go out on loan but got denied.
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I think he just angry and disappointed. If he was good enough he would have made it. No point comparing James McCarthy or Fleck, cos they are both better prospects. Also Maloney and McGeady are much better players!
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