But the main interest for television crews and pressmen was not the Mariners, nor even the A-League, but reports from Glasgow that the ex-Socceroo and Glasgow Rangers defender was being considered as a potential candidate for the job at his trouble-torn old club.

Rangers are in disarray having  just fired English coach Mark Warburton and languish a long way behind Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

The club has been in serious financial trouble and is desperately trying to claw its way back into contention, with management looking for a replacement for Warburton who might be able to restore the club to its former glories.

Another Australian, former Rangers captain and Muscat's Socceroo team-mate (and  personal friend) Craig Moore has also been mentioned as a potential recruit by the club, with his name being linked to a role as Director of Football. Moore and Muscat both played together at Rangers before returning to the A-League in the twilight of their careers.

That is a post similar to that which Moore has held in Brisbane, where he is working alongside John and Ross Aloisi as a Socceroo triumvirate leading Roar's on-field operations.

Muscat on Saturday remained tight lipped over speculation that he could make the leap from the domestic game to take the hot seat at his old club.

"I am currently contracted to Melbourne Victory so it's something I have not given any consideration to, " he declared when pressed on the Scottish speculation.

"The reality is that I am contracted to Melbourne Victory,  so I just keep carrying on. One thing we don't do, I tell players, is comment on speculation and that's where this is at this moment in time."

Muscat said there had been no approaches to him.

"I have not spoken to anyone from the club," he said. Asked whether his agent or representatives had had talks with Rangers he said: "To my knowledge no."

Muscat has one more year left on his deal after the current A-League season ends in May and stressed that he was "very happy" where he was.

However he has, like many former internationals who spent their careers playing for big clubs in major European leagues, often spoken of a desire to at one stage prove  himself in an overseas coaching role.

And Australian coaches are, it seems, beginning to attract a measure of interest outside these shores.

In the past few months Sydney boss Graham Arnold was linked with a job in The Netherlands  while West Sydney boss Tony Popovic is reportedly a target for big spending Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua should they dump coach Gus Poyet.

"We have seen the exit of some players over a period of time, now it's coaching staff. It's great, but it's something I can't consider at the moment because there is nothing to consider," Muscat said.

"Our focus is on the league, and I am not going to let anything, let alone speculation, disrupt anything we are trying to do this season.

"I tell the players, especially younger players to reach for the stars and if you fall somewhere short you can be fairly satisfied, and I am no different. But it's  (Melbourne Victory) a huge club and I am honoured to be here, I love being here, and I can concentrate on doing the best possible job I can."

Muscat has a full strength squad at his disposal for the game with the Mariners, and is expecting a tough time at the resurgent Gosford club now coached by another of his international team-mates, Paul Okon.

"They are in form. They have won five games this year and three have come in the last three games against fairly good opposition.

"Central Coast will have a go although they will try and stay compact in their structure.

"They have had a fairly settled line-up which goes a long way to find continuity and consistency. They will miss Nick Montgomery through suspension this week, but their team over the past few weeks has been fairly constant."