da bet sport： Joey Barton has always divided opinion, whether it’s been at Newcastle United in his early days or now playing with Rangers up in Scotland.
da realbet： Off the pitch, his record is as blemished as the reputation he carries from place to place but, whether you like him or not, he’s a good player.
Without him, Burnley wouldn’t have made it to the Premier League last season and when he signed for newly-promoted Rangers this summer, you couldn’t help but think that Gers were a seriously stronger side with him in their ranks.
But he’s been up to his old tricks yet again and this time, it came in the format of a scathing attack following Rangers’ defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm derby. Things were said and following the fallout, Barton was told to stay away from Ibrox for three weeks.
And whilst many neutral and Rangers fans have been quick to wield the axe, there are some who believe the club and player in question should kiss and make up. We’re taking that standpoint throughout this article.
His disciplinary record off the pitch is pretty awful, but police matters and run-ins with the law are problems for another day. This time, the outburst came as a result of something that happened on the pitch – but it wouldn’t have happened if Barton didn’t care.
He’s a passionate, fiery individual and sometimes that can get in the way when he loses his head. And whilst we’re not sure what exactly was said in the dressing room following the 5-1 defeat, it’s clear it came about because of poor performances from many Rangers players that day.
The easy option would be to outcast him to the reserves and run down his contract until he can be moved on again. But the truth is this – Joey Barton can contribute to what will be an extremely tough season ahead. It was clear in the 2-1 loss against Aberdeen this weekend that Rangers were missing that special something. It might have been better if Barton was on the pitch.
Colleagues have never touted him as a poor professional and with a pretty young squad at Mark Warburton’s fingertips, 34-year-old Barton has the experience that many of his team-mates simply don’t.
He comes with a reputation, a tag that is all his own making. But Warbuton needs to manage him correctly. He needs to talk to him in such a way that doesn’t single him out as different to any of his team-mates because then, you might have a problem.
This breakdown might have come about because of a difference in opinion but on the pitch, Joey Barton has a lot to add to a Rangers side that is looking to re-establish itself in the Scottish top-flight.
The story has divided opinion but this time, club and player should quite simply kiss and make up.