Joey Barton will not play for Rangers again after refusing to say sorry to manager Mark Warburton
Suspended for a training ground bust-up, former Premier League star is now on his way out of Glasgow club
JOEY BARTON’S Rangers career last night lay in tatters after he refused to say sorry to boss Mark Warburton.
He has been told to stay away from Murray Park until October 10, although SunSport understands he will not kick another ball for Gers.
But the ex-Man City star showed no willingness to fall into line. He fell foul of the Gers gaffer last Tuesday, when the pair exchanged words in the wake of Barton’s training ground bust-up with Andy Halliday.
Barton was initially told to stay away from Ibrox until yesterday, and last week released a statement admitting he did ‘overstep the mark’ and also accepted the language he used was ‘inappropriate’.
However, the midfielder refused to apologise to Warburton, and at yesterday’s brief meeting he was sticking to his guns.
Gers later released a statement which read: “Joey Barton has been suspended by Rangers, and will not return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie for a period of three weeks.
“Neither party will make any further statement or comment on this issue.”
Given that veteran Barton has no future in Glasgow, despite signing a two-year deal last June, lawyers from both sides will now attempt to reach a suitable compromise which will allow him to leave.
Employment law regulations prevented Warburton from discussing the situation in detail at his pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s Betfred Cup quarter-final clash with Queen of the South.
But while accepting he does encourage people to express an opinion, the Ibrox boss also made it clear he will not tolerate a lack of respect from any of his players.
Warburton said: “It’s not for me to make any further comment other than what has been released by the club.
“I’m sure you can understand that from my position and the position of Rangers.
“The environment we create for the players and the staff is about giving respectful opinion. I will never have a problem with a player knocking on my door to talk about a session.
“But do it in the right manner or else they will get a flea in their ear.
“It’s how you deliver the message which will always be key to myself and my staff.”
Barton, who arrived on a free transfer from Burnley in the summer, has only played eight games for Gers, completed 90 minutes just four times, and failed to make an impact.