Barton hasn’t featured for Rangers since September following an alleged bust-up with Ibrox boss Mark Warburton.
Former Glasgow Rangers captain Terry Butcher has told the Scottish Sun’s Facebook page that he would like to see Joey Barton back playing for the club.
Barton, who arrived at Ibrox from Burnley in the summer, has not featured for the Gers since September’s 5-1 Old Firm defeat against Celtic.
Later that month, the 34-year-old was suspended for three weeks after an alleged training ground bust up involving manager Mark Warburton and fellow midfielder Andy Halliday, and only returned in late October to train with Rangers’ development squad.
The Scottish Sun reported earlier on Tuesday that a settlement has now been reached for the ternination of Barton’s contract, after he was signed off with stress, and confirmation of that is expected later this week.
Before then, though, Butcher said when asked about his fellow Englishman’s future: “When you’re paying that money every week you would expect and like to see Joey on the pitch, because Rangers don’t have a lot of experienced players in key areas like that midfield area.
“I’d like to see him back playing for Rangers, everything put to one side and get him back doing what he does best – that’s playing football.
“If that can happen, fine. If it can’t then that’s up to Rangers and Joey to sort that out. It’s sad, because I think he’s got so much to offer Rangers and so much to offer Scottish football.”
Like Barton, Butcher also arrived at Ibrox from English football, but remained in Glasgow for four seasons – winning the Scottish Premiership in three of those.
The 57-year-old later managed north of the border with Motherwell, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and, most recently, Hibernian.
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