When you think of football's fiercest rivalries, the Old Firm stands alone. Celtic vs. Rangers is more than a game; it's a collision of history, faith, and identity that has defined Glasgow for over a century. With 107 league titles between them, these two giants have created moments of pure footballing magic and, at times, utter chaos. From the Hampden Park riots of 1980 to the infamous 'Shame Game' of 1999, this derby has seen it all. Yet, amidst this legendary hostility, there exists a unique and almost unbelievable story: the tale of the one player deemed too dangerous, too volatile, to ever be trusted to play in it. That man is Kevin Muscat.

I still can't believe it sometimes. Imagine being part of a historic treble-winning Rangers squad, contributing to a legendary defensive record, and yet... your own manager looks you in the eye and decides the derby atmosphere is too intense for you. Not because you're not good enough, but because you're too much. That was the reality for Kevin Muscat during his single season at Ibrox between 2002 and 2003. Manager Alex McLeish, facing the ultimate pressure cooker of Celtic vs. Rangers, reportedly didn't trust Muscat's notoriously aggressive temperament. So, while Barry Ferguson and Ronald de Boer took to the pitch, Muscat watched from the sidelines, a human grenade deemed too risky to unpin.

And let's be clear, McLeish's fear wasn't unfounded. 🚩 The evidence was stacking up long before Glasgow. Spanish site El Gol Digital once named Muscat the dirtiest player in football history. His reputation was built on a foundation of pure, unadulterated aggression. This wasn't just tough tackling; this was something else entirely.

• The Career-Ender: While playing in Australia, a knee-high tackle on young Adrian Zahra was so brutal it ended the promising player's career. The fallout? An 8-match ban and effectively being exiled from the A-League.

• The Leg-Breaker: At Wolverhampton Wanderers, a horrific challenge shattered Bournemouth's Matty Holmes' leg in two places during an FA Cup tie. Holmes underwent multiple surgeries, sued Muscat, and won a six-figure settlement for a career irrevocably damaged.

• The Quick Trigger: At Millwall, just three games after signing, he was sent off for stamping on Watford's Danny Webber. The club's chief executive issued a public warning that he could be sacked.

Even Peter Crouch once named Muscat as the only player who genuinely scared him. This was a man who fought referees, clashed with teammates, and seemed utterly incapable of moderating his own fury on the pitch.

So, what happens to a figure like this? Does football just spit them out? In Muscat's case, the opposite happened. He underwent one of the most remarkable transformations in the sport. 🧠 He channeled that intensity, that relentless drive, from the pitch to the touchline.

His coaching journey began as a player-assistant at Melbourne Victory. He learned, he honed his craft, and then took his philosophy abroad. His big break came in Japan, succeeding Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos. And what did he do? He won the J1 League title in 2022, playing an aggressive, front-foot style of football. The hardman had become a tactician.

Fast forward to 2026, and his story gets even more impressive. After a successful stint in China where he led Shanghai Port to a Chinese Super League and FA Cup double in 2024, Muscat's stock has skyrocketed. Rumors even swirled about a sensational return to Rangers as manager! While that move didn't materialize, it speaks volumes. The man once deemed too volatile for the derby is now a sought-after European-level boss, with his achievements abroad turning heads at the very club that sidelined him.

It's a wild, full-circle narrative. From public enemy number one on the pitch to a respected leader off it. Kevin Muscat's journey forces us to ask: can the very traits that make a player 'too dangerous' be the same ones that forge a successful manager? His story is a testament to ruthless reinvention. He understood the reasoning behind McLeish's snub, even if he joked he'd "never forgive him in the nicest way possible." Now, he's the one making the big calls, proving that sometimes, the fiercest fire, when controlled, can forge the strongest steel. The ultimate football redemption arc is still being written, and Europe likely awaits its next chapter.