Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has been suspended by the Ibrox outfit for a training ground bust-up.
Rangers midfielder Joey Barton
Barry Ferguson has explained in The Daily Record why the current situation involving Joey Barton is good for Rangers.
Barton was recently suspended by Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers due to an altercation with a teammate in training, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
It was reported that the former Newcastle United midfielder was involved in a training ground bust-up with Rangers teammate Andy Halliday this past Tuesday.
Barton confirmed to talkSPORT that he was told not to return to the club until Monday.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
This is not a situation that Rangers fans will have wanted to see, but Ferguson believes that it could be good for the club.
The former Rangers midfielder has stated that the situation could be the making of Barton at Ibrox.
Barry Ferguson at Rangers
“Most people think Joey Barton’s barney could spell the end of his Rangers career – but I think it could prove the making of him,” Ferguson wrote in The Daily Record.
“I’ve seen fisticuffs, I’ve even been part of it myself on occasions – stuff far worse than what appears to have unfolded on Tuesday when words were said that overstepped the mark, leading to Barton being ordered to stay away for the rest of the week,” added Ferguson.
“I don’t see that as a bad thing. On the contrary, it’s good for the squad because that’s the sign of a passionate side, a team that cares.
“In fact I would be more concerned if there wasn’t some fallout in the wake of last Saturday’s 5-1 defeat by Celtic because that is a pain that cannot just be meekly taken on the chin.”
Barton joined Rangers in the summer transfer window after leaving English club Burnley at the end of the 2015-16 season.
The 34-year-old midfielder arrived at Ibrox with a strong reputation, but the Englishman has failed to make a huge impact so far.
It would be best for Rangers if the situation is resolved quickly and Barton remains part of the team for the rest of the season.
Barry Ferguson
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