No Barton, no goals.. no worries! Tavernier suggests Barton wouldn’t be missed at Rangers

HOW do you solve a problem like Joey Barton?

The banished Rangers star was missing on Saturday — but wasn’t exactly missed.

Mark Warburton’s side didn’t suddenly turn into the 1970 Brazil team in the controversial midfielder’s absence.

Ibrox punters expect better than a 0-0 home draw against Ross County — and booed the team off.

But compared to previous stodgy performances, there was a lot more purpose and energy against Jim McIntyre’s stubborn side.

Club policy meant James Tavernier wouldn’t discuss Barton’s bust-up but he was happy to label this Rangers’ “best performance of the season so far”.

Coincidentally, it was also the first without the out-of-form English midfielder in the team.

Tavernier hailed the middle trio of Andy Halliday, Jason Holt and Josh Windass who should surely start tomorrow’s League Cup clash with Queen of the South.

That would mean a place on the bench for Barton or the embarrassment of being dumped in the stand.

Would the opinionated midfielder accept that?

Judging by his TalkSport interview, that’s doubtful.

And what would the Rangers board think about their highest earner being bombed out after just five league games and one rammy?

They backed Warburton when they handed Barton a lucrative two-year deal — a signing that so far looks to be a huge mistake.

With Rangers still finding their feet financially, they can’t afford to have a player on his wage not contributing.

But then they also can’t excuse Barton kicking off with his team-mates and then taking to the UK airwaves to label his ban “strange”.

It’s a major conundrum and more will become clear today when the midfielder returns to Murray Park to meet “Warbs” as he refers to him.

Is Barton too big to call him ‘gaffer’ like everyone else?