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Mark Schwarzer explains why he thinks Joey Barton moved to Glasgow Rangers

Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted (REUTERS)
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Joey Barton has not made a good start to his career at Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers after joining from Burnley.

Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted

Mark Schwarzer has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 16th September, that Joey Barton may have moved to Glasgow Rangers as he felt that challenge at Burnley would have been very tough.

Barton was a key player for Burnley, as they earned promotion to the Premier League, but he opted against signing a new contract with Sean Dyche’s side to move to Ibrox.

Barton has not started brilliantly on or off the field at Rangers, and there are already question marks over his future in Glasgow.

Rangers' Joey Barton

And Schwarzer said: “He probably thought that going to the Premier League with Burnley would be a tough old season. Maybe he thought, I’ve done what I’m going to do and help them get promoted, Rangers is a massive club and I’m going to help them.

“When you get to a certain age, you start thinking ‘am I up for the mental challenge? If I go to Rangers, the likelihood is we’ll stay up – and do a lot better than that.’”

Barton was recently banished from Rangers training, and he is not set to return to join in with Mark Warburton’s side until Monday.

Rangers' Joey Barton arrives before the game

The experienced midfielder has already offered an apology on social media site Twitter, but he will not play in Rangers’ match against Ross County at the weekend.

Rangers have not started the season in the best form, but they are still challenging at the right end of the Scottish Premiership table.

The Ibrox side are currently in third place in the top flight standings, and they will be determined to pick up the three points at the weekend, to bring some positivity after what has been a disappointing week.

General view of Ibrox - Rangers