Barton has been banished from Ibrox by Rangers following an alleged spat with Andy Halliday and manager Mark Warburton.
Things have very quickly turned sour for Joey Barton at Rangers.
What seemed like a shrewd signing for Mark Warburton’s newly-promoted outfit – Barton was named in the English Championship’s team of the year last season – has proved an almost predictable nightmare, with the 34-year-old now banished from Ibrox and his problems piling up.
Tuesday’s Scottish Sun told of an investigation into an alleged breach of betting regulations, while Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell later claimed Barton had approached Glasgow’s other giant before signing for Rangers (STV) – contradicting what was written in the midfielder’s impeccably-timed new book.
Former Light Blues captain Barry Ferguson has predicted that Barton will not play for the club again (BBC), even after his three-week suspension is up.
Should that prove to be the case, here are three free alternatives for Warbs to consider:
3) Nigel Reo-Coker
Linked with Rangers, Celtic and a host of others last week (Sunday People), the 32-year-old would bring the experience and leadership to rival Barton – with considerably less controversy. An occasional captain at former club Aston Villa, Reo-Coker left Montreal Impact earlier this year.
2) Raul Meireles
Still younger than Barton at 33, Meireles would add some continental flair to Warburton’s side. A veteran of 73 international caps for Portugal and 43 appearances in the Champions League proper, Meireles played for Liverpool while Frank McParland was there as academy director. Now Rangers’ director of recruitment, perhaps he could pull some strings?
1) Sulley Muntari
On the subject of reunions, Muntari played alongside Ibrox star Niko Kranjcar for a season at Portsmouth, before being head-hunted by Inter Milan. The 32-year-old was linked with West Bromwich Albion this week (Ghanaian reports, via the Birmingham Mail), whose Premier League riches could blow Rangers out of the water.
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