Saturday, January 15, 2005 will be another red-letter day in the career of Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

When Hibs face Floriana in a league match tomorrow, Muscat will not only play his 300th competitive match in the top division of our football but he will also break Freddie Mizzi's club record of 299 competitive matches which has stood since 1977.

No one can replace Mizzi from the hearts of the Hibs' supporters but Muscat has become another living legend in Paola in his own right.

Born in Pietà on August 18, 1976, he was brought up in Paola.

He played his first football at the Paola Primary School, Guzè D'Amato Secondary School and Umberto Calosso Trade School.

A product of the Paolites' nursery, he made his debut for Hibernians in 1993-94 during Brian Talbot's time. The Hibs' manager needed a quick replacement for goalkeeper John Bonello and he did not hesitate to give the 17-year-old his chance of making it in the big time.

Muscat did not disappoint and in his first two seasons in senior football he won two league championship medals.

From then on, Muscat never looked back. He won the backing of the Hibs' supporters with his consistent and first class performances. Muscat went on to win another championship in 2001-02, an FA Trophy in 1997-98 and the coveted Footballer of the Year award in 1997-98.

Although at 28 he is still at the height of his career, Muscat is already quite used to establishing records. He has already broken the club's league appearances record held by Mizzi and Charles Scerri in turn and he is well on his way to breaking the few left outstanding club records as shown in the table below.

Muscat's record up to the game against Pietà Hotspurs, played last Sunday, reads:

Mario Muscat's Competitive Career