Rangers midfielder Joey Barton’s future at Ibrox is in some doubt.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
According to The Scottish Sun, Rangers don’t intend to sack Joey Barton, and could offer him one last chance to salvage his Ibrox career – but that could change if he doesn’t apologise to manager Mark Warburton.
Rangers were already coming in for criticism after the 5-1 Old Firm defeat to Celtic earlier this month, and midfielder Barton has only worsened matters with his own conduct.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton with Joey Barton
The 34-year-old, snapped up from Burnley over the summer, was supposed to be the midfield general that Rangers needed in front of the back four, but manager Warburton knew that for all the experience Barton brought, he also came with controversy.
Now, as reported by The Scottish Sun, Barton was involved in a remarkable bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday on Thursday, and had been banished from the club until today, meaning he missed Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Ross County.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
Barton’s future has been thrown into doubt, but The Scottish Sun today report that the veteran is set to be offered one last change to save his Ibrox career.
The former Newcastle United and Manchester City ace is set to hold showdown talks with manager Warburton today, and whilst it’s claimed that Rangers currently have no plans to sack Barton and would prefer to keep him, that could all change in today’s meeting.
Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted
The report claims that, if Barton doesn’t apologise to Warburton, then his Rangers career will be over, meaning that whilst the Gers don’t want to lose him, they are more than willing to cut ties if he doesn’t fall in line.
Given that Barton told talkSPORT on Friday that he has nothing to be sorry for, his future at Rangers appears to be on a knife-edge – and Warburton will hope that his mindset has changed during his time away from the club.
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