Back in 2000, Martin Grainger, then a defender at Birmingham City, famously remarked about a certain footballer, “He is probably the most hated man in football.” Grainger added, “The bottom line is what goes around comes around. There will be someone nastier who will get him one day.”

The subject of Grainger’s comments was Kevin Muscat, the Australian midfielder known for his contentious 19-year career, during which he played for teams such as Crystal Palace, Wolves, Rangers, and Millwall.

Despite his controversial past on the field, Muscat has crafted a commendable coaching career post-retirement. At 52, he has found success managing teams across four different countries, including Melbourne Victory in Australia, Belgium’s Sint-Truiden, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, and Shanghai Port in China.

Muscat’s accomplishments as a coach have positioned him as the leading candidate for the Rangers managerial role, following the dismissal of Russell Martin. This comes after previous candidates, Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl, withdrew from consideration.

Muscat remains a beloved figure at Ibrox, having clinched a domestic Treble during his brief stint as a player at the club. His potential return has been met with enthusiasm among the Rangers supporters, who fondly remember his contributions.

Kevin Muscat, 52, has emerged as the frontrunner to take the managerial job at Rangers

During his playing career, former Australian midfielder Muscat (left) was known as a hardman 

The 52-year-old is a popular figure at Ibrox after winning the domestic Treble as a player during one season at the club – and his potential appointment has been welcomed by supporters. 

In light of this, Daily Mail Sport has taken a look at Muscat’s controversial background and how he developed a reputation as football’s ultimate hardman.  

For Ian Wright, arguably the most popular man in football, to be riled up by Muscat, there is unlikely to be smoke without fire.

But that is just what happened in September 1999, with Wright labelling Muscat a ‘nobody’ and a ‘lowlife’ after they clashed during a match.

Muscat, then playing for Wolves against Wright’s Forest, had angered the striker when he allegedly pretended to be his team-mate Dougie Freedman and told him to leave a ball when in a dangerous attacking position.

Wright heeded those calls and the ball went straight to the Australian to clear.

Wright was infuriated and had words with Muscat before he later received a second yellow card for a wild challenge on the midfielder.

Writing in his Sun column at the time, the popular pundit said: ‘He is a nobody. He knows it, I realise it and a hell of a lot of other people think it. 

Muscat (second right) won the domestic Treble with Rangers during his one season at the club

The former midfielder clashed with Ian Wright during a heated encounter in September 1999

‘I can sleep well and look in the mirror each morning, which is more than a certain Wolves player can probably do.

‘This guy isn’t even worthy of mentioning his name. The unwritten code of gentlemen’s conduct between players in these situations was broken and it sparked the worst kind of reaction in me.

‘All it would have taken to sort the situation out was for him to say: “Sorry, I was out of order”. It would have been finished with. But this bloke is not big enough to do that.’

Muscat ignited their war of words when he hit back by saying: ‘He had a highly illustrious career but you would have thought he should have grown up.

‘He kicked the ball away to get his first booking and then lashed out at me to get his second. He has only himself to blame – not anyone else. It was his ill-discipline.

‘I’m told he has apologised to his manager and team-mates – and he should do. He has let them down.’

Wright wasn’t the only player Muscatt had run-ins with during his career. 

Throughout his time in the professional game, Muscat received 123 yellow cards and 12 red cards, many for bad challenges or off-the-ball incidents. 

Muscat (right) in action against Liverpool’s Stephen Warnock when playing for Millwall

Muscat received 123 yellow cards and 12 red cards across his 19-year professional career

One such reckless tackle on Christophe Dugarry on international duty was dubbed as ‘an act of brutality’ by French boss Roger Lemerre, while his stamp on Watford’s Danny Webber in 2003 almost saw him sacked by Millwall.

‘Kevin’s actions were totally unacceptable,’ Millwall CEO Ken Brown said at the time. 

‘We have made him aware that such behavior will not be tolerated. Any repeat of such a deliberate, unprovoked, off-the-ball incident will result in his instant dismissal.’ 

Elsewhere in 2004, former Charlton midfielder Matty Holmes brought a lawsuit against Muscat after he had to have four operations on his leg following a tackle in 1998. 

There were fears at the time that Holmes’ leg may have to be amputated and it effectively brought an end to his professional career.

The lawsuit resulted in Muscat paying Holmes a settlement of £250,000 plus costs, although there was no admission of liability. 

Another infamous incident came when Muscat clashed with Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny in the tunnel at a half-time of a match against Millwall.

Muscat was red carded and subsequently handed a five-game ban, with Blades manager Neil Warnock later famously taunting the Millwall players with: ‘serves you right for f***ing Muscat, that’, after his side won 2-1. 

Alongside Wright, Muscat (in action for Wolves in 2001) clashed with several other players

His no-nonsense style did attract admirers though, with former England hardman Terry Butcher, who coached in the Australian A-League, one backer.

He said: ‘Every manager in the A-League would love to have Kevin, and I’m no exception.’

Elsewhere, in another incident, former Man United and England star Ashley Young recounted how he was threatened as he warmed up for a game against Muscat’s Millwall when he was at Watford.

‘Kevin Muscat said he would break my legs if I went past him,’ the 40-year-old recalled years later.

Ironically, by the time Young, then 18, came on as a substitute in the aforementioned match, Muscat had already been sent off. 

Muscat showed no signs of settling down in the latter stages of his career either. 

In January 2011, when at Melbourne Victory, Muscat was sent off for elbowing an opponent while challenging for the ball.

In the first match after his suspension, Muscat then received an eight-match ban for a brutal tackle on Adrian Zahra during a Melbourne Derby.

The Australian could be the man to replace Russell Martin at Rangers after his recent sacking

The challenge was widely condemned, with former Australian international Mark Bosnich calling it a ‘disgrace’.

Muscat ended his career that year, but in December 2013, Spanish football website El Gol Digital named him as football’s dirtiest ever player.

But, to his credit, six hugely successful years coaching Melbourne Victory, alongside triumphs elsewhere, have taken Muscat to this moment where he could be about to come back to British football.

And Muscat has attempted to change perceptions of him since moving into the dugout, with the Australian previously saying he wants to ‘be judged separately’. 

‘I want to be involved in teams that play a certain brand of football and that maybe contradicts what most people perceive to my playing days,’ he said in 2022.

‘I’m trying to forge my own way in terms of the way I coach, the way I manage and the way my teams play. That’s really all I can do.’

Whatever happens this time around, although the 52-year-old won’t be on the pitch, it’s unlikely to be dull.