The Rangers midfielder recently returned from a club suspension.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Danny Mills has warned Joey Barton’s situation could turn volatile if he does not leave in the January transfer window.
The midfielder joined the Gers in the summer transfer window in what was considered a coup at the time.
His switch has proved to be a disastrous one, though, after a fallout with manager Mark Warburton saw him suspended by the club back in September.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected as Celtic’s Scott Brown applauds fans as he is substituted
He has not played since then, with his ban from the club only coming to an end this week after discussions.
It is widely anticipated that he will leave Ibrox in the January transfer window and Mills has warned that he will have to if they are to avoid the situation turning volatile.
“If he doesn’t get a move in the window, that’s when I think all parties will have to really look at the situation because that’s when I think it could turn volatile,” he told BBC Sport.
“If there’s a move on the horizon and suddenly it doesn’t come off, he’s going to be doubly disappointed, having to go back in January or end of January and not have had that move and training with the kids, that could just tip him over the edge.”
Rangers’ Clint Hill and Joey Barton look dejected after Burnley’s second goal
It remains to be seen what decision Rangers do make regarding Joey Barton moving forward.
It is easy to imagine he does not have a future at the club given the current situation he finds himself in.
His future is likely to rest on the club’s probably attempts to find a replacement for Niko Kranjcar.
The midfielder was recently ruled out with a long-term knee injury and should they fail to find a suitable replacement, perhaps it will force them into keeping Barton and giving him the chance to redeem himself.
Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted
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