Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers recently suspended summer signing Joey Barton for three weeks.
Rangers’ Joey Barton looks dejected
Former Celtic striker John Hartson has written in The Scottish Sun that Rangers manager Mark Warburton is to blame for the Joey Barton situation.
Barton, who joined Rangers in the summer transfer window after leaving Burnley at the end of the 2015-16 season, is currently serving a three-week suspension.
As announced on the Scottish Premiership club’s official website this past Monday, the midfielder has been suspended for three weeks.
The Englishman recently told talkSPORT about a training ground bust-up between him and Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday following the Gers’ 5-1 defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
Rangers’ Joey Barton
Former Celtic striker Hartson has claimed that the situation is the fault of Rangers manager Warburton.
The former Wales international has suggested that Rangers should have not signed Barton in the first place.
Hartson, though, does not believe that Warburton should be blamed for the Gers’ less than impressive start to the 2016-17 Scottish Premiership campaign.
John Hartson
“Mark Warburton only has himself to blame for this Joey Barton fiasco,” Hartson wrote in The Scottish Sun.
“He’s the guy who put his faith in a player who has had controversy follow him like a bad smell his whole career.
“When the Rangers board look for answers to this sorry affair there’s only one man they need to question — and that’s the guy who signed him.
“But, that said, I think it’s utterly wrong to suggest Warburton should be under pressure for results and performances this season.”
Rangers are seventh in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with nine points from six matches, seven points behind leaders and Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The Gers will face Aberdeen away from home at the Pittodrie Stadium in the league on Sunday afternoon.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
