Football
PA Sport 8y

Joey Barton 'committed' to Rangers after training ground punishment

Joey Barton insists he remains fully committed to Rangers despite being banished from the club's training ground.

Barton, 34, found himself at the centre of yet another controversy when he was sent home from training on Tuesday, following what is reported to have been a changing-room row with teammate Andy Halliday and boss Mark Warburton after the 5-1 defeat to Celtic.

The controversial midfielder was told not to report back until Monday -- ruling him out of Saturday's Premiership clash with Ross County -- but Barton apologised on Twitter for the "harsh words" he aimed at his colleagues and later told TalkSPORT he was going nowhere.

"I'll sit down with Warbs on Monday -- that was always the plan, once the lads win on Saturday because that is the most important thing. I'll be supporting my teammates on Saturday, that is all that matters," Barton said.

"I've got to re-evaluate stuff. Now that this has happened it changes the landscape slightly. It's disappointing but I'm as committed to Glasgow Rangers as the day I signed. There's nothing at all that has altered me from that task.

"All I want is for Rangers to win and for us to be the best we can possibly be, on the training ground and at a match on a Saturday.''

And the former Newcastle, QPR and Manchester City man insists there is no on-going dispute.

"They've told me to stay away but there are a lot of misconceptions out there at the moment,'' he added. "I've been asked to re-evaluate the way I'm thinking, but I don't think they're going to change -- I want Rangers to win!

"We lost to our fiercest rivals at the weekend, we came in to train on Monday and Tuesday and we're picking the bones of how we get better, how we get Rangers back to the top of Scottish football.

"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 as a team and what's going wrong for us. It's nothing more and nothing less than that.

"Obviously sometimes the way I communicate can be a bit blunt and a bit direct and it ruffles people's feathers, which I know I have to work at, but I don't apologise for trying to win. I care deeply about playing football.

"There is absolutely no issue with me and Andy. We sat down in the dressing room afterwards and spoke through what was said. It's disappointing that certain people are trying to insinuate that there is, because it's completely false.

"Andy is a mad, passionate Rangers fan, he's stood in the terraces, so I've got great respect for him. He cares deeply about making the club better, as I do.''

Barton did appear to criticise Warburton's decision to exclude him from the club when he said: "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, because it's wrong.''

^ Back to Top ^