Rangers star who claimed to be better than Broony was a flop

In a media interview this week Mark Warburton talks about how Barton didn’t work out at the Rangers and laments the limited financial circumstances which restricted who he could bring to Ibrox.

Warburton signing of Joey Barton for the Rangers created lots of interest and season ticket sales too. But it all fell apart quickly and ended badly for both the manager and player.

Barton arrived at the Rangers as noisily as you’d expect. Remember his blast in the Daily Record at the time:

"“People keep talking about Joey Barton v Scott Brown. He’s not even in my league – he’s nowhere near the level of player I am.”"

8 games later Barton had left the Rangers and Scottish football with his tail between his legs. He definitely wasn’t in the same league as Broony, who is now probably quietly polishing his latest league winners medal. He’ll probably let you have a look at one Joey, if you like.

Barton didn’t really turn up on the pitch and by the time he’d had a slanging match with other players and Warburton, accusing of a lack of leadership, it was all coming to what some might say is a typical Barton style conclusion. Who can forget the reports at the time of Barton storming out of training with the coffee machine he bought for the players under his arm. Maybe the wrong sort of grounds for leaving.

The Glasgow Herald quoted Warburton on Barton’s signing:

"“The move obviously didn’t work”“If you get seven out of 10 signings right, you’re doing a fantastic job! Joey looked a good signing, though I’ll hold my hands up and say I made the mistake of thinking we needed more maturity”"

From the article it’s evident Warburton wants to be remembered at Ibrox for his successes. Promotion at the clubs second attempt to get back to the Premiership and the never to be forgotten Petrofac Training cup. It’s certainly got plenty of room on the current clubs trophy winning shelf.  We’re all more likely to remember his bizarre departure when he saw on TV that he’d resigned!

Warburton also talked about the difficulty of limited finances at the Rangers when signing players. It’s like he believes more money would have given a sporting advantage on the pitch.

Many of his signings were free, on loan or for very modest sums. The budget didn’t apparently allow huge wages either. Warburton did say some of the wages quoted in the media at the time weren’t close to reality. And he looked back at a different time, when Rangers could bring in the likes of Brian Laudrup.

Ah yes, better players being attracted to the club, reported wages not matching what was really being taken home by players. It does ring a bell for sure.