Rangers take on Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season this weekend.
Former Rangers midfielder Neil McCann has told the Daily Mail that he believes Joey Barton does not know what he has got himself into in regards to the Old Firm derby.
Barton is one of a host of new signings to arrive at Ibrox this summer as manager Mark Warburton overhauled his squad.
He has been quick to stir up the rivalry with Celtic, especially with captain Scott Brown, who he claimed earlier this summer is not in the same league as himself.
That is a debate that will be answered in the Old Firm derby this weekend but McCann believes the controversial midfielder may be about to get something of a reality check.
However, he insists he is expecting nothing but a composed performance from the midfielder in the game.
“I don’t know if Joey Barton knows exactly what he’s coming in to,” he told the Daily Mail.
“But I would expect nothing less than a measured performance from him. His reputation has gone before him, but nothing I’ve seen from him suggests to me he’s about to lose control or do something stupid or reckless.”
Watching Barton and Brown go head to head will certainly make for interesting viewing in this weekend’s clash.
The game is likely to be a tight one, to say the least, and whoever comes out on top in that midfield battle will play a key role in which side takes the three points.
Barton has made it clear that he believes it will be him, but it remains to be seen if that proves to be the case.
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