Ex-Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson thinks it’s time Mark Warburton admitted this mistake

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It has been a turbulent start to the season for Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson has suggested that it is time that Mark Warburton admitted that bringing Joey Barton to the club in the summer was a mistake and thus, looked to sever ties with the midfielder, The Scottish Sun reports.

The 34-year-old’s suspension following a training ground bust-up came to an end last week, but The Scottish Sun hints that his Ibrox career may be over before it has really begun as he will not be returning to training this week as the club plan to open disciplinary proceedings against the former Premier League man.

Joey Barton was suspended shortly after Rangers’ defeat to Celtic

And with the Gers’ fortunes on the pitch improving somewhat in recent weeks following a rocky start, Ferguson has suggested that bringing Barton back into the group would be a mistake.

“Rangers are now playing good stuff again without him,” he said, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

Rangers’ Clint Hill and Joey Barton

“Mark Warburton and the recruitment department should maybe just hold their hands up and admit they’ve made a mistake.

“At the time we thought it was a good idea. But now, for the sake of both parties and for the best for the club, it’s time to move on.”

As Ferguson suggests, it would be a gamble to bring Barton back into the fold as it may upset the atmosphere amongst the squad given recent events.

Since Barton’s last appearance, Rangers may have only won two of their four games – one of which came in the Scottish Premiership – but their performances have arguably been much more impressive than earlier on in the campaign, and appear to suggest that they have turned a corner.

And while Barton’s ability on the pitch could potentially take them to that next level – though he failed to find his best form during his first few months at Ibrox – Ferguson is sure that a recall to the side for the one-time England international will only send the team backwards.