Ibrox midfielder Joey Barton was suspended by Glasgow Rangers last month.
Gordon Smith has told The Sunday Post that Joey Barton’s lack of impact at Rangers will hurt him.
The 34-year-old joined Rangers on a two-year deal in the summer, signing on a free transfer after helping Burnley to Premier League promotion.
It was a big deal in Scotland, given his profile in English football, but the reality is that Barton’s time at Ibrox looks like being anything but a fairytale.
The one-time England international is set to return from a three-week suspension by Rangers following a training-ground row with team-mate Andy Halliday.
That incident came a number of days after he posted an ineffective performance in the 5-1 defeat by Old Firm rivals Celtic at Parkhead, though nobody in blue really stood out, it must be noted.
If that was not bad enough, Barton has received a notice of complaint by the Scottish Football Federation after being accused of betting on 44 matches; strictly forbidden under SFA rules despite the allegations not being related to gambling on his team.
Indeed, he arrived with the notion that he could be one of Rangers’ most influential players, but it has not worked out that way so far, and Smith says that will frustrate the former Newcastle United and Manchester City man.
He wrote in The Sunday Post: “Barton has struggled to make the impact he predicted he would, and has been criticised for slowing down the tempo of a team which did pretty well prior to his arrival, comfortably winning the Championship title and reaching the Scottish Cup Final last season. His lack of impact will have angered and frustrated him.”
Rangers manager Mark Warburton with’ Joey Barton at the end of the game
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