Sydney’s Payne not bothered by on-field talk

Sydney FC youngster Chris Payne says he is not worried about intimidating tactics used by Melbourne Victory skipper Kevin Muscat.

As the 19-year old prepares for Saturday night’s A-League Grand Final against the Victory, he was reminded of his debut in 2008 when Muscat gave him some close attention and some not-so-nice words but he insists he is better equipped to deal with it now.

"I can't let it worry me," Payne said yesterday. "I have a job to do and so does he. I'm expecting nothing different from Kevin Muscat this weekend and I'd imagine he'll be trying the same things he did when I made my debut.

"I guess you don't forget things like that," he added. "He welcomed me and said a few things like, `I'm gonna get you'. Then I copped an elbow to the head, but you have to expect those sort of things. It's part of the game."

Payne is expected to start in the season decider in the place of injured veteran John Aloisi but he said he will be letting his football do the talking rather than getting into a slanging match with any of the Melbourne players.

"I won't be saying anything to him," he said. "My best answer is to score goals, and that's what I will be doing my best to do."