Barton is currently suspended by the Ibrox outfit following an alleged bust-up involving manager Mark Warburton.
Former Leeds United boss Steve Evans has defended Joey Barton after the Rangers midfielder was charged with breaking gambling rules this week.
Barton is currently suspended by the Ibrox club following an alleged bust-up involving teammate Andy Halliday and manager Mark Warburton, but is set to return to training on Monday.
The controversial midfielder has not featured for the Light Blues since September’s 5-1 Old Firm defeat to Celtic and speaking to Talksport on Thursday, Evans claimed Barton was playing well in that game and will get another chance to prove himself at Rangers.
“It (Barton’s suspension) leaves it difficult to go back into the main group. I think a lot of that will just depend on the results on the pitch in between,” the Scot told Talksport.
“He’ll have an opportunity to go back, of course. I think if it was going to be any more severe than that it would have been dealt with (already). He’s got a lot of points to prove at Glasgow Rangers – although none in his career, he’s been a top player with some top clubs.”
He added: “It (the Old Firm) finished a romp to Celtic – and I’m as Celtic as they come – but I think at 15, 20 minutes there’s nothing in that game, and Joey and Halliday (who didn’t come on until half-time) were playing well in the middle of the park, but it all went a bit pair-shaped.
“They had a man sent off (Philippe Senderos) and Joey was suddenly playing at centre-back.
“I’m going to defend him a little bit. He gets the headlines for the betting but it’s nothing to do with his club and his own games that he’s involved in.”
Rangers have experienced a mixed bag of league results in Barton’s absence, drawing against Ross County, losing at Aberdeen and beating Partick Thistle, although their performances on the whole have been good.
Ironically, Halliday has been the main beneficiary of his teammate’s suspension, playing every single minute and scoring twice since then, having been dropped to the bench against Kilmarnock and Celtic.
The 24-year-old was also handed the captain’s armband after Lee Wallace was rested for the recent cup win against Queen of the South.
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