As a thoughtful sort of chap who has previously demonstrated a tendency to criticise the Israeli government, the institution of the monarchy, and the British/English National Anthem, one might have assumed that Joey Barton would instinctively align with the green side of the Glasgow divide.
And you would have been right. Joey did apparently blurt out on twitter back in 2012 that he was a Celtic fan. However, even the most mischevious couldn't pretend he was the most tribal of Celtic supporters.
Shortly after tweeting that he was a Celtic man, he issued this tweet to calm matters.
To all Celtic and Rangers fans, there is a fake profile knocking about pretending to be me. I have nothing but respect for both clubs.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 6, 2012
Now a Rangers player, he emphatically distanced himself from the idea that he was a Celtic fan.
He was forced to take a side in the Old Firm and by dint of his religious background, he was obliged to 'support' Celtic. Also, he seems to be saying that you don't want to be taking things he says on twitter too seriously anyway (though 'context' might be a more appropriate word here than 'jest').
You only support one club. C'mon let's have it right, I'm an Evertonian. But coming from a football family, if the Milan derby was on you'd have to pick a side, AC Milan or Inter. If it's Barca vs Real Madrid, I'd have to pick a side. That's just what we do.
So obviously being Joseph Anthony and having gone to Catholic schools, I didn't really have a choice when it came to it. So I looked out for one of the teams when the Old Firm was on. I've said on Twitter, amongst other things, I'm a Celtic fan.
You have to take that in jest. I don't think anybody will have any doubt about my allegiances when we play Celtic.
Joey caused some bemusement earlier with a tweet bigging up his new status as a Rangers player, a tweet which many regarded as insufferably pompous and wordy.
To be a Ranger is to sense the sacred trust of upholding all that such a name means in this shrine of football. pic.twitter.com/nb5yTKq420
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 24, 2016
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