Berisha thanks Muscat after hat-trick against Wanderers

Besart Berisha has thanked his Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat for keeping the faith in him.

On five goals going into Saturday night’s win over with Wanderers, Berisha’s form has been solid but not as spectacular as recent seasons as Bruno Fornaroli (City) and Andy Keogh (Glory) led the goal scoring charts going into Round 10.

But “Bes” proved he’s back to his clinical best after Saturday’s 3-0 win in Sydney over Wanderers, and he was happy to deflect the praise. 

REPORT: Berisha brilliance as Victory stun Wanderers at ANZ

“As a striker it’s always a good feeling to score and bring your team forward and get the points.

“But I’d like to thank Kevin [Muscat], he’s been really great to me these last couple of weeks,” he told Fox Sports.

“It was a little tough for me but it’s good to have Kevin by my side so I’d like to thank him. These goals go to him.”

Victory's Besart Berisha celebrates opening the scoring against the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium.

The win over Wanderers sets up and absolute monster Melbourne Derby when Berisha’s Victory faces Fornaroli’s City.

And with Berisha seemingly back to his magical best, it sets it up for a Christmas Derby to remember in Melbourne. 

“Every year I try to find a way to score goals and sometimes it just doesn’t happen but I always keep 100% never giving up,” added Berisha, who took the lead with eight goals with two games left in the round. 

Victory coach Kevin Muscat added he had a laugh when he read stories during the week questioning Berisha’s output this season.

“He’s set the standards in the last few years,” Muscat told Fox Sports.

“I had a nice little chuckle to myself this week when there were articles about him. Because last week he was superb and tonight he finished off three great goals.”