A-League season drawing to a close, McGlinchey decided to seek more first team football in the off season as buildup to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, signing a season-long loan deal with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell. Dispute McGlinchey tried to leave the Central Coast Mariners on a free transfer but in August 2014, it was ruled that the player was still contracted to the Mariners. The PFA argued unsuccessfully that McGlinchey should be able to move to Wellington Phoenix on a free transfer as the club had been sold to new owners. However, on 11 September 2014, Central Coast Mariners conceded they would no longer pursue McGlinchey's services for the upcoming A-League season, citing his personal desire to no longer be involved with the club as a major contributing factor, and that following the receipt of compensation from McGlinchey his contract was terminated. Motherwell McGlinchey signed a loan contract with the Scottish side in February 2010 for the remainder of the 2009–10 season, and made 8 appearances. Vegalta Sendai On 23 December 2013, Central Coast Mariners announced McGlinchey would be going on a year loan spell to Vegalta Sendai, following Graham Arnold who had been recently appointed head coach. On 11 June 2014 Vegalta Sendai announced that they had terminated McGlinchey's loan, after Arnold had been sacked by the club 2 months earlier. Wellington Phoenix On 12 September 2014, McGlinchey signed a two-year contract with Wellington Phoenix after securing his release from Mariners the day before. On 1 May 2018, after four seasons with Wellington Phoenix, McGlinchey was released from the club. Return to Central Coast Mariners In June 2018, McGlinchey re-joined the Central Coast Mariners, signing a two-year contract. He was released by the Mariners at the end of the 2019–20 A-League. Return to Scotland In October 2020, McGlinchey returned to Scotland, signing with Scottish League Two side Queen's Park. He left the club in January 2021 at the end of his short-term contract. McGlinchey signed with Scottish League One side Clyde in March 2021 on a deal until the end of the 2020–21 season. Return to Australia In February 2022, McGlinchey returned to Australia to sign for National Premier Leagues side Weston Bears. International career McGlinchey was eligible to play for Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand. His father, Norrie McGlinchey was a footballer playing in New Zealand, he represented Stop Out and Hutt Valley