As two journeymen, Kevin Muscat and Danny Murphy would have both seen literally 1000s of players in opposition shirts in their decade in English football.
As two journeymen, Kevin Muscat and Danny Murphy would have both seen literally 1000s of players in opposition shirts in their decade in English football.
But even four years after his departure from Millwall to play for the Melbourne Victory, Muscat’s reputation still looms large and Murphy is looking forward to renewing acquaintances when the two meet in Victory’s match against Fulham on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.
“I’ve obviously played against him somewhere down the line, I mean I always remember him being a tough cookie. You know he could put his foot in with the best of ’em and put himself about so I don’t think I’ll be venturing too close to him on the pitch come Saturday,” Murphy joked this week.
“He’s obviously had a good career over there in England and is a decent player, but he does have that reputation.”
While he is well aware of the reputation he has from his playing days in England, Muscat is not too concerned about any long-harboured grudges coming to the fore on Saturday night.
“I don’t think anybody there owes me (a square up). Hopefully, they’ve got short memories also,” the Victory skipper said.
Muscat’s fearsome reputation in his days with Crystal Palace, Wolves and Millwall has softened somewhat in his time at Melbourne, especially after a whole season in 2008/09 without getting sent off. While he’s hardly turning into a shy retiring man in his mid-30s, it’s fair to say he’s a very different player than what he was in England, even hustling through his press conference so he can get to the gym.
Muscat has the utmost respect for Murphy as a player and sees him as a real danger man in Saturday’s match.
“I played against him a couple of times. He’s a quality footballer, he’s played for the national team a number of times. He scored again last night (against Gold Coast), and he’s someone we are going to have to be mindful of because he’d carved up a lot better team than we are,” Muscat said.
Murphy, 32, has had a decorated career, having spent eight seasons at English giant Liverpool as well as spells at Charlton Athletic and Tottenham. He is one of several high-profile players who will play on Saturday, including Andy Johnson, who has played at Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Everton.
“I played against him (Johnson) quite a few times and again, he’s a proven goalscorer,” Muscat said.
“Bobby Zamora, Mark Schwarzer, those blokes I’ve played against. You don’t finish seventh in the Premier League without having a decent team and probably most importantly a very good manager as well.”
Tickets for the match are available from Ticketmaster by calling 136 100 or through ticketmaster.com.au.
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Melbourne Victory v Fulham
Saturday, July 11, 7.30pm
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
