To celebrate the Melbourne Victory coach’s glittering playing career The Football Sack has compiled a countdown of our top 10 magical Muscat memories.

After hours upon hours of scouring through season reviews of obscure English clubs and highlights of a man not trusted to play an Old Firm Derby, a list of 10 moments remain from the enforcer’s 549-game career.

Honorable mentions to his Daniel Mullen stomping, the throat-grabbing of Milan Baros and his elbowing of Jason Culina, but it is a tough squeeze when the bloke has 12 red cards and 123 cautions.

10. Drives ball into back of Referee Strebre Delovski’s head

Claaaaasic Kevin Muscat. pic.twitter.com/eF0MB1SSOu

— Benito Carbone (@BurritoCarbone) 25 October 2017

Cheeky, Kev.

9. Muscat headbutts keeper in half-time tunnel fracas

Here’s one of Kevin Muscat’s glistening list of red card offences. The Millwall defender was sent off for a violent headbutt on Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny at the conclusion of the first half. Vision of the chaos, and Kenny’s blown-up head, can be seen here.

8. Blatant tackle on Christophe Degarry in International Friendly

Friendly? Never heard of ’em.

In a match-up between Australia and France Muscat avoided a red at the MCG despite a horrendous slide challenge, resulting in serious injury to Degarry. To be fair, he was reportedly spat on by Robert Pires earlier in the match.

7. Reckless challenge snaps Bellamy’s leg

Many people hated Craig Bellamy. So when Muscat bundled through the Canary’s knee causing serious injury back in 1998 it brought satisfaction to everyone save the Norwich City fans, who were horrified by the tackle from the Wolves man.

6. Kevin gut-punches Terry McFlynn

Muscat somehow escaped yellow for this low blow on Sydney FC player Terry McFlynn in 2005, showcasing that his physical prowess is not limited to his legs.

5. Kev has the favour returned

Our poor hero Muscat was left in a heap after copping a wicked uppercut of retaliation (or retribution) from Birmingham City man Martin O’Connor at the turn of the century.

4. Musky threatens debutant Ashley Young

“Kevin Muscat said he would break my legs if I went past him.”

That’s what Young claims the Millwall hitman told him in the warm-up, but our favourite right-back was sent off for stomping before Young could even make his League debut as a substitute. Fittingly enough, Young scored his debut goal later that match to cap off a 3-1 Watford victory.

3. Muscat ends Holmes’ professional career

In what led to a successful lawsuit of $A606k the current Melbourne Victory coach shattered the leg of Charlton Athletic’s Matty Holmes in 1998. Holmes required four operations following the challenge with the midfielder’s surgeon stating that he was close to losing his leg entirely.

2. The Muscat & Kosmina bust-up

Who could ever forget this moment. Engrained into A-League folklore, this event led to the fixture between the two sides becoming branded as the John Kosmina-Muscat Cup. It needs no further explaining.

But it was impossible to finish the list with anything else save this…

1. Muscat ends A-League career with worst challenge of them all

Unfortunately for Adrian Zahra this takes the cake. In 2011 an awful ligament-tearing challenge on the Melbourne Heart youngster saw the curtains close on A-League football for the beloved Muscat. An eight-match suspension saw out the remainder of the season, quite fitting considering Zahra spent 12 months out.