'My dad was a carpenter and had a big job to do. 'I was a bit too young to realise what was going on, but we lived right in the middle of the Bronx so it must have been rough. 'We were right beside the hospital and it was mayhem, noise going on all through the night. But I never saw anything that really scared me. 'It was just another thing you had to do. We stayed there till I was seven. I remember the fact that my brother and I were the only white faces at our school, but it was okay. There was a big Irish community over there.' McPhail's football career blossomed at Elland Road where he emerged from Leeds United's youth development system and worked his way into the first team. He was often compared to Irish legend Liam Brady, who played for Arsenal and West Ham United. 'People kept on comparing me with him, which was ridiculous,' said McPhail. 'I was in Leeds United's reserves and hadn't done anything, while he'd won everything. That added to the pressure.' McPhail had loan spells with Millwall and Nottingham Forest as he battled to make the big breakthrough under different managers, David O'Leary giving him his full first team debut at the same time as Jonathan Woodgate at Nottingham Forest. Then, two years ago, McPhail left Leeds United and signed for Barnsley on a free transfer, becoming one of their key players in a chase for promotion which found success in the play-off final. The link with Cardiff City is Peter Ridsdale, who was at both Leeds United and Barnsley when McPhail was playing for those clubs and is a big admirer of the Irishman. Ridsdale recommended McPhail to Dave Jones and, following a series of excellent scouting reports, the City manager watched him play for Barnsley at Walsall in their last League game of the season. McPhail warned Barnsley immediately after their play-off triumph against Swansea City at the Millennium Stadium that he wanted to see the Yorkshire club show big ambition. 'I don't want to be in a relegation fight next season,' said McPhail. 'Barnsley need five or six new players, they need more experience.' McPhail visited his family in Dublin before making a decision to leave Barnsley now his contract is ending - and he wrote to the Yorkshire club to officially reject their offer of a new contract. Hull City and Cardiff City were leading contenders to sign the creative central midfield player and the Bluebirds have won the chase. Barnsley gave Cardiff the go-ahead to open talks with McPhail last night and he agreed terms late into the evening. He was at Ninian Park today for a full medical and, with no problems expected, will sign a three-year contract this evening. McPhail will be given the chance to develop a partnership with Riccy Scimeca in Cardiff's midfield. The left-footed star will take up an attacking role with Scimeca covering his back and shielding the back four. Manager Jones wants Jason Koumas on the right side of midfield with Kevin Cooper or Joe Ledley on the left. McPhail has become a far better all-round player in recent seasons, a crucial factor as Barnsley swept to promotion, beating Swansea on penalties in the play-off final. 'We knew if it came to penalties we'd be comfortable with it,' said McPhail. 'We felt it was our day even though Swansea had quality on the bench and they tried to change the game by bringing them on.'