What is it about Joey Barton? Controversy has followed him around at practically every stop throughout his career and was anyone really expecting anything different from his time at Rangers?
The 34-year-old is barely in the door at Rangers and has already been causing headaches for his new club and - incredibly - his latest career misstep could cost him his job, if reports in Sunday's press are to be believed. You've no doubt heard that the the former Manchester City man landed himself in a spot of bother following Rangers' abject capitulation against their city rivals Celtic last week and was asked to not attend training for a few days and to "keep a low profile".
Barton's definition of a low profile clearly differs from that of Rangers boss Mark Warburton, as the midfielder promptly went on TalkSport and discussed his issue with the club in intimate detail.
Good man, Joey.
It's beginning to look that Barton has already burned his bridges on the blue side of Glasgow, too. Numerous sources are today reporting that he has been asked to report to the club on Monday for crunch talks with the club brass and speculation is suggesting that Barton will be handed his P45 (or whatever the Scottish equivalent of a P45 is) and told to go on his merry way.
Barton's comments to TalkSport won't have helped Barton's career prospects and it's easy to see why the Rangers hierarchy were unhappy to have their dirty laundry aired on such a public forum.
Barton said:
We’re asked for an opinion and I’m someone who gives an opinion. Two passionate Rangers players have then shared opinions on how we get better and what’s going wrong – it’s nothing more and nothing less than that.
But the way it’s been handled is strange. When you look at my history and you’re told to stay away from the club, it does look like something more has happened, and that’s why I’ve decided to get on the radio and speak.
Barton's Twitter apology seemed like it might have made some sort of peace with the club. That is, of course, unless you follow it up by saying: "Apologising doesn’t always mean that you’re wrong and the other person is right".
Time will tell whether Barton will appear in a Rangers shirt again but, even if he does, you get the sense that further controversy won't stay away for very long - as has been the case for practically his entire career.
[Mirror]
