Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Kevin Muscat Muscat on being 'the most hated man in English football'… Diegos: "Your life is awash with love. Your mother loves you, your wife loves you, the Four Diegos love you, even your dog loves you but it seems that not everybody in UK football feels the same way. Last season, Birmingham City's Martin Grainger announced to the world that you are 'probably the most hated man in UK football' after you clashed in a match. Did his comment affect you at all and are you really unloved over there?" Muscat: "Obviously I must have got under his skin for him to make such a comment. At the time it was a local derby. There was a lot of passion and heated exchanges. Nothing has been said since and he did apologize afterwards. To tell you the truth it was something that really didn't bother me." Diegos: "At the end of your career, any chance your autobiography being titled: 'I was The Most Hated Man in Football and I Don't Care - The Kevin Muscat Story'? Pretty catchy don't you think?" Muscat: "Yes but I'm not too good at the old spelling so I don't think I'll bother."
Diegos: "Earlier this season, after Wolverhampton lost against Preston North End, the Wolves fans reportedly staged a mass protest outside the ground.
Have things calmed down or do the fans still want to lynch the board?" Muscat: "I think the story has been exaggerated quite a bit by you Diegos. Yes there was a protest but it was mainly directed towards the board and not the manager or the playing staff. The fans just wanted some questions answered. Since then the situation has calmed down. Such is the statue of the club that the fans expectations are very high but I think there is a realization now that our squad is very young and its going to take the manager a while to settle it down." Soft Sombrero Moment 2001
Diegos: "You've been involved regularly in the national set up under Frank Farina. The win against Scotland last November was a beauty. The players talked about respect prior to that game.
Muscat: "It more getting everyone else to believe in us. Once Frank Farina has a full squad at his disposal the expectation becomes a lot higher because all of a sudden, everyone starts to say that we should beat everyone we play. If you recall on that night against Scotland, we had 4 or 5 players missing and we still got a great result. It's unfortunate that we don't have games of that calibre more often. This week we've got a tough test in Bogotá. It's going to be much more difficult but it's something that we may encounter later on." Soft Sombrero Moment 2001
Diegos: "A former teammate and good friend of yours, Coventry City's Robbie Keane, is currently setting the English Premier League alight with his electrifying performances. His form has been so good that Inter Milan has reportedly expressed interest in gaining his services. Muscat: "Fortunately, Coventry is not too far away from Wolverhampton so I still do get to see a lot of Robbie. He certainly is still a very good mate of mine. When he was at Wolves, he lived nearby and, being a single lad, he would quite often be here for a pre-match meal, so my wife is trying to take some credit for his success. I always knew he was a class player and good enough for the highest level." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "It's not often that a player like yourself, born to hate 'Nancy-boy' type wingers, gets the opportunity to play against the 'King of Nancy-boy' type wingers, Brazil's Denilson. You got that opportunity in last November's two match series between the Socceroos and Brazil. What was it like playing against one of the world's great dribblers and what were your thoughts on the much maligned two match series?" Muscat: "I treated the series with great respect, especially since the new management gave me an opportunity that I did not get over the last several years with the Socceroos. It was a chance to make things count. I needed to perform well for the new manager and impress him enough to be selected the next time. I always knew that I would be up against Denilson; there was nowhere else where he was going to play except the left side. Overall I was happy with my efforts and I think the series went well for Frank. It gave everyone the opportunity to observe each other's talents. He is a good coach and personally, I got along with him quite well and I believe most of the squad did too." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "Former Wolves coach, Colin Lee was quoted describing Socceroo coach, Frank Farina as 'some kind of idiot' when he selected you to play in the Dubai tournament for Australia last year. Thankfully for the Socceroos he has been sacked and replaced by former Southampton coach, David Jones. We notice that you're not playing for the Green and Gold against Colombia this week. Does your new coach think Frank is an idiot too?" Muscat: "No contact had been made between Frank and the current manager about the game. The decision was made after I spoke to Frank personally. The game against Mexico was originally scheduled for the middle of last week when I had a mid-week game for Wolves. So he decided not to pull me out of my club commitments. I was disappointed because I would've liked to have gone. That game ended up being cancelled and replaced with the game against Colombia and obviously for everyone's sake the coach decided to keep the same squad. So that's why I'm not going." Soft Sombrero Moment 2001
Muscat: "I think Frank has done a good job in trying to educate the public and the media in Australia in this respect. The players themselves have always come to terms with it. Unfortunately the focus amongst the public and media is always whether Harry or someone else doesn't come but this is not a concern for the players. The only person who knows the ins and outs of everybody's situation is Frank, so I don't see why anyone else should question it. He has got to be judged on qualifying for the World cup, so let's not judge him until then." Soft Sombrero Moment 2001
You didn't escape this problem in the aftermath of the Brazil series with Wolves manager, Colin Lee, unhappy that you played both games instead of the previously agreed one match. When you got back to England did he spank you and send you to your room?" Muscat: "Well, not me personally, but he was not happy. When Steve Corica and I arrived back to England, we went directly to training because he wanted to see what condition we were in. Thankfully, as it turned out, I played the following Saturday. He wasn't happy because apparently there was some agreement made, of which I knew nothing about, that I was not to play in the second game at the MCG. But I would've never allowed national coach Frank Farina to leave me out of that game; I wanted to play in my hometown and it was as simple as that. With regards to the games in Chile, Frankie has contacted my manager, Colin Lee and, between them, they have reached an agreement that I would not play in that series. So, I am glad that they could work it out between them rather than having the player make that decision. I am not happy about the fact that I am missing an opportunity to win another three caps for my country but, at the end of the day, Wolves are my employers. If my employers can work things out with the national coach without my involvement, then I see that as the best solution."
Diegos: "It was handbags at ten paces last season when you and the tempestuous Ian Wright clashed in a spiteful 1-1 draw between Nottingham Forrest and Wolves. He called you a 'nobody' and you told him to 'grow up' in the press conference after the game. Have you kissed and made up and were you surprised that he didn't take kindly to the 'Muscat vice-like Western Suburbs squirrel grip'?" Muscat: " No, we haven't really kissed and made up. (Wright) was unhappy after he "got some of his own back" during the after-match press conference. I do admire him for what he has achieved. He is a tremendous player who has scored many goals in his career. He is getting an OBE from the Queen, which proves in itself, that he has accomplished a great deal. What was unfortunate was not so much what happened during the game--you can understand that both teams want to win--but what happened afterwards, in the media. However, since his move to Celtic we have been able to pass on some interesting messages to each other through Mark Viduka. Let's just say the communication lines are still open."
Diegos: "In a great advertisement for Aussie soccer, you virtually went from South Melbourne in the Ericsson Cup straight into the first team at Crystal Palace in 1996. In your first season after playing 49 of 51 games, you ended up being involved in a play off promotion game at Wembley. It was a rapid rise that you seemed to cope with well. In your opinion, is the jump between the Australian National League and English top-line soccer as big as the experts make out?" Muscat: "I think if we're all honest with ourselves, it's a massive jump. Looking back, the thing I found most difficult was the actual number of games that had to be played. It's such a long season and you don't have that much time to train. It's easy enough playing in all the games but finding consistency week in week out was the thing that I found most difficult."
Diegos: "Wembley must have been a great experience for you. It's a tradition prior to the game that a Royal representative gets to meet the especially well groomed and well-mannered players of both teams. The Diegos know that you are a pretty sophisticated sort of bloke, but what does a dude from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne say to royalty?" Muscat: "To tell you the truth it's one of the moments that I recall least. Winning the game, walking up the Wembley stairs, receiving my medal and giving the cup a big kiss were the things I remember most." Diegos: " Do they tell you not to shake the Queen's hand with the hand that you put the Dencorub on with?" Muscat: " Thankfully it wasn't her that came down but I'm sure that whoever it was got a good dose of dencorub third degree burn from my handshake." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "One of the biggest matches that you've been involved in this season was Wolves FA Cup clash against the mighty Arsenal. Unfortunately you were on the receiving end of a narrow 2-1 loss with Dutch pretty boy, Denis Bergkamp getting the winner. We all know that Denis has a fear of flying and we also know that you like to play it tough and hard. Did you stir him up about his fear and did you at any time threaten to tie him to the wing of the next Qantas 747 out of Heathrow if he played well?" Muscat: "We were losing 1-0 but managed to get one back to make it 1-1. When it got to 2-1 one of our shots hit the inside of the post so we were unlucky not to get a result. The game was a big one for us. The stadium was packed and there was a lot of media hype. Unfortunately Bergkamp got the winner for the Gunners. A collision between myself and Denis, where he was left feeling a little worse for wear, was well documented here in the media." Diegos:" We weren't going to mention that unsavory incident but seeing you brought it up, did you let him have it?" Muscat: " Not really. It was just one of those things. He is well known for not liking the physical stuff and unfortunately for him that is very much part of the game here in England. I think though, that he ended up having the last laugh because he got the winner. At the end of the day he is a super performer and a great professional." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "In the tradition of great Aussie sports people, you like it close, tough, hard and intense. You thrive on the physical battle, grown man on grown man, no quarter given and none taken. Tackle or be tackled. This philosophy has unfortunately earned you fines and suspensions and a number of appointments up at the English FA big house. Do you transform into a different person once you cross that white line or is it a case that all referees are blind?" Muscat: "Just to clarify something - I've only been up at the F.A big house once. I need to make that clear because any further rumours are the least thing I need. The way I look at it is that it's all part and parcel of the game. When I was growing up watching the English game it was very physical every week. Obviously FIFA are trying to clean up the game but many people are questioning whether this philosophy is making the game better. A lot of people go to the game because it's so competitive. The clashes and the bruises are what the crowd often want to see." Diegos: " What qualities do you think Australians bring to the British game?" Muscat: " Everyone who speaks to me in England is amazed at the number of Australians that come over and do very well. I've seen a lot of trialists come and go but the Australians stand out because their attitude and character is much stronger. The way we are brought up in Australia, with a 'never say die' attitude, puts you in good stead. Involvement in many of the Australian teams as I grew up, also helped a lot because I've seen a lot of the world and played against many different nationalities. Gaining this type of experience at such a young age is something I'll always be grateful for." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "Wolves have gone through a number of financial woes in the past. The clubs Chairman, benefactor and self described "Golden Tit" has pumped enormous amounts of money into the club without much success so far. Given the high expectations for success at Wolves, do you feel the pressure as a player?" Muscat: " Wolves is under a lot of pressure to get into the premiership. The chairman made that statement because he has pumped a lot of money into the club. He has recently employed people to run it more like a business and he has made it known that he will not be throwing his own money at the club anymore. It's unfortunate timing for me because the club has offered me a new deal that is not as good as what I would have got if the chairman was still the club's 'Golden Tit'. There is a lot of pressure at this club because it is a Premiership club. Its stadium and its fans deserve to be in the premiership but no club has a God given right to be there so I guess we have to keep plugging away." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "When you left Australia to join Crystal Palace you reportedly said that South Melbourne's treatment of you at the time '…was akin to someone robbing your house in broad daylight in front of your own eyes.' Obviously you weren't happy with the Lakesiders. Have the wounds healed and more importantly, has someone from the club extended a Kalamata Olive branch to you?" Muscat: "I still feel very bitter towards the people involved. I thought the whole saga was a disgrace. I thought that I gave good years to South Melbourne and to try and do what they did was extremely disappointing. At the end of the day everything that was owed to me has been paid but it drag my family and myself through 10 months of messing about with solicitors and lawyers. It was a battle that they were never going to win but obviously they thought that someone from the Western Suburbs wasn't going to pursue it. At the end of the day I'm still very bitter. Ever since I've left I've slept comfortably with myself but I think there are a few people at South Melbourne who haven't been able to do that." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |