Muscat blasts Postecoglou’s critics

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has slammed Australia’s tall poppy syndrome amid the fallout from Ange Postecoglou’s looming Socceroos exit.

Muscat was focused on tonight’s A-League derby at Etihad Stadium, predicting James Troisi would cop flak from City fans after weighing up a cross-town move.

But talk inevitably turned to Postecoglou, who has polarised opinion since News Corp revealed he was set to quit as coach after next month’s World Cup playoff against Honduras.

Muscat, who served an 18month apprenticeship under him at Victory, lashed out at that mindset while playing down his interest in the job.

“Maybe we get a great deal more enjoyment in this country about trying to knock someone down or failure than we actually do get enjoyment from winning,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of hysteria. We’ve also forgotten we won the game 2-1.

“We’ve got a couple more games to get to a World Cup and we’re on track to do that.

“There’s no job to put your hat in the ring for. I’ve got a great job at Victory, which I thoroughly enjoy and love.”

Muscat expected Troisi to cop heat from the City fans in a 40,000-plus crowd.

“I’d be disappointed if he didn’t,” he said.

“Don’t think he’ll be on his own either. There’ll be 10 others copping a fair share of abuse from opposition fans.”

Muscat praised the continued Socceroos contribution of Tim Cahill, who looks set to come off the bench tonight for City, after his two-goal heroics against Syria.

“He was superb again for (Australia),” he said.

“You could have almost written the story before the game how frequently he’s done it. Hopefully he’s spent all his goals this week.”