Anticipation for Saturday’s Melbourne Derby has been hijacked with the reports Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou will stand down once the World Cup Qualifiers are finished.

Australia beat Syria 2-1 after extra-time on Tuesday courtesy of a Tim Cahill brace.

FFA released a statement saying the focus was on the upcoming reverse fixtures against Honduras, but, did not deny Postecoglou’s potential departure.

Cahill said on Thursday that there were story angles trying to derail the Socceroos and Muscat agreed.

“I’m not going to speak for Ange, I think we’ve probably forgotten that we won the game 2-1,” Muscat said on Friday.

“Maybe, if I’ve got anything to say, we’ve got a great deal of enjoyment about trying to knock someone down and failure, than we do from actually winning.”

Earlier in the week Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold shut down rumours he would return to coach Australia and Muscat also denied any links to the job.

“At the moment there’s no job to put the hat in the ring for,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of hysteria, possibly also forgotten we won the game 2-1. I’ve got a great job here in Melbourne Victory, one I thoroughly enjoy and love.

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

“I’m on record previously, representing your country was the pinnacle of my career and hopefully one day I do get the opportunity. At this point in time I’m contracted and very happy.”

Victory will be looking to bounce back after losing 1-0 to the Sky Blues last Saturday at Etihad Stadium while City downed Brisbane Roar 2-0 last week.

Muscat welcomes back James Troisi and Mark Milligan from Socceroos duty and Kosta Barbarouses from the All Whites.

New recruit Matias Sanchez was rested last week with a minor injury and could take part against City while Muscat was forced to play Leroy George against Sydney who was not 100 per cent match fit.

Muscat gave no definitive clues about his starting XI but assured Milligan would play midfield and not in defence if he got the go signal.

City coach Warren Joyce said Cahill would be in the squad as well.

And while Muscat and Joyce played in England at the same time, they never crossed paths, with the Big V boss stating he didn’t need to tell his counterpart what to expect.    

“I think he’s seen a fair few derbies himself,” he said.

“They’ve been great games and we’re expecting a big crowd there tomorrow night. Ticket sales have grown really well.

 “We’ve had the opportunity to meet a couple of times and he seems to have settled into Melbourne really well and got off to a good start last week.

“There’s no love lost between the two teams, there’s respect between the two clubs.

“Once that whistle goes, you want the three points and you do whatever it takes to get them."