The midfielder is currently suspended by Rangers after falling out with Mark Warburton.
Former Rangers great Mark Hateley has told Joey Barton to start acting like a Rangers player, while speaking to the Daily Mail.
Barton joined the Gers on a free transfer in the summer transfer window after starring for Burnley in the Championship last season.
His capture was considered something of a coup for Mark Warburton’s side given the performances he had put in for Sean Dyche’s men.
However, the move has turned into something of a disaster for all parties involved, with the veteran currently suspended by the club following an incident in training.
It is unknown if he will feature for them again but Hateley has advice should he do so.
“We have had enough distraction off the field over the last five or six years. All the focus should be on the pitch,” he told the Daily Mail.
“It is all about understanding the values of the club and what is and what isn’ t expected. Traditions must go forward and we must stand by those traditions.”
It now remains to be seen if Barton does have a future at Rangers with it looking unlikely at the moment.
It is a tough decision for Warburton to make given that there are arguments both for and against keeping hold of him.
There is no denying Barton’s quality on his day and he is a key man should they be able to get him focused on his football as Burnley did.
However, as Hateley says, they cannot afford the distractions he brings when things are not going well and perhaps a parting of the ways would be a wiser choice for both parties.
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