Barton has not played for Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side since the Old Firm defeat in September.
Joey Barton
Derek Johnstone has told the Evening Times that the best outcome for everyone involved in the Joey Barton saga is for Rangers to let the midfielder go in January.
The 34-year-old has been suspended since the days immediately following the Old Firm defeat in September, but returned to Ibrox for a meeting with the club this past week.
Barton was suspended following the Old Firm defeat
But with BBC Sport reporting that his suspension remains in place following the meeting, Johnstone believes that the writing is on the wall for the controversial midfielder, but added that Rangers are in a difficult position.
“Rangers need to draw a line under the Barton saga and move on,” he told the Evening Times.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton with’ Joey Barton
“It doesn’t look like Rangers will be able to sack him but there appears to be no chance that he will play for the club again.
“The best case scenario for Rangers is that Barton leaves in January, whether that be on a permanent deal or on loan and goes back down to England.”
If Barton has already played his final game for the club, it may arguably be better for the Gers to look to sever all ties as quickly as possible, despite the financial implications.
The uncertainty means that the situation is always in the background until the club confirms a decision either way, and they will surely not be able to move on fully until he is off their books entirely.
If he somehow makes a return to the team, there will always be concerns that more problems could arise in the future, so it surely makes sense, as Johnstone suggests, for Rangers to bring an end to this sorry chapter by looking to sever their ties with Barton in the near future.
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