Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joey Barton is serving a suspension at the moment.
Rangers’ Clint Hill and Joey Barton look dejected
Derek Johnstone has suggested in The Glasgow Evening Times that Joey Barton may not be able to get back into the Rangers starting lineup.
Barton, who joined Rangers in the summer transfer window after leaving English club Burnley at the end of the 2015-16 season, is serving a three-week suspension at the moment.
The former Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers midfielder was suspended by the Scottish Premiership club following a training ground bust-up with Rangers teammate Andy Halliday, as he himself told talkSPORT.
The 34-year-old is expected to return to the Gers on Monday, as reported by The Daily Record.
Former Rangers star Johnstone, who is 62 years of age, believes that the ex-Manchester City midfielder could struggle to get back into manager Mark Warburton’s starting lineup.
Rangers’ Joey Barton
“He can’t come back on Monday, train for a week and expect to be in the team against Inverness,” Johnstone wrote about Barton in The Glasgow Evening Times.
“The Rangers midfield has looked a lot sharper since he hasn’t been there so if he does come back then he has a fight on his hands.
“Jason Holt and Josh Windass have added energy to the team and Halliday has really stepped up to the mark in the last few weeks.
“If Barton does stay, I think he will find it difficult to get back into the team. He may feel he is the best midfielder at the club but the ones that have played recently look a better option than him.”
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair with Rangers’ Joey Barton
Rangers are fifth in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 12 points from eight matches, seven points behind leaders and Old Firm rivals Celtic, who have a game in hand.
The Gers will take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle away from home at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in the Scottish Premiership after the international break.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
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