Joey Barton’s future with Rangers is looking shaky right now.
Chris Sutton
Pundit Chris Sutton has slammed Rangers manager Mark Warburton on BT Sport for his treatment of Joey Barton, as quoted by The Scottish Sun.
This is without question the most difficult spell of Warburton’s time as Rangers manager. After losing 5-1 to Old Firm rivals Celtic earlier this month, the Gers then drew 0-0 at home to Ross County on Saturday afternoon in a disappointing afternoon.
Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted
Warburton needs to not only figure out how to get results on the pitch, but also resolve matters off the pitch with summer signing Joey Barton.
Barton, 34, signed on a free transfer from Burnley over the summer, and was seen as the midfield general to come in and solidify Warburton’s side, protecting the back four with his experience and tenacity.
However, so far Barton has struggled, and on Thursday was banished from the club after a bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday, meaning he missed out on Saturday’s game with Ross County.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton with Joey Barton
After being allowed to return to Rangers today, Barton has been suspended for three weeks, but before that announcement was made, pundit Chris Sutton slammed Warburton’s treatment of the former Newcastle ace.
Sutton, speaking on BT Sport, was quoted by The Scottish Sun as saying that rather than banish Barton as Warburton did, Rangers should have done one of three things; fine him, sack him or transfer list him.
Former Celtic striker Sutton added that Warburton has displayed bad management on and off the pitch this season, and thinks the job at Ibrox is simply too big for the former Brentford boss.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
“Fine him, sack him or transfer list him, but don’t give him five days off,” said Sutton. “Here’s the bottom line, bad management on the pitch, bad management off it.”
“They’ve just had their pants pulled down by their biggest rivals and he’s moaning about negativity. The job is too big for him in my view. This isn’t Brentford, this isn’t the city and he’s coming out with ‘best performance of the season’. Do me a favour,” he added.
Do you agree with Sutton’s comments on Warburton and Barton?
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