Probably not surprising that Warburton and Rangers' handling of the 'issue' (Rangers' term for what happened) should take this turn and we find Barton signed off with stress. When it eventually ends and Barton departs I suspect its going to cost the Club a lot of money.
And it'll cost the Club in terms of reputation in the eyes and minds of other players in England who will be mindful of the way Barton was treated when Rangers come knocking on their door inviting them to come to Ibrox to see the great stadium and to Auchenhowie to see the top class training facilities, and to play a round of golf at Loch Lomond with Kenny Miller or whoever replaces Miller in that 'sell the Club' role. They will be bound to wonder what they might do or not do, say or not say, speak out or not speak out and it ends up with the manager orchestrating a suspension, banishment and then removal from the Club under stress-induced conditions. Harsh? Maybe, but managerial incompetence and resorting to heavy handed disciplinary procedures for something that looks to be a robust argument is how this whole 'issue' feels right now.
Seems to me that come hell or high water Warburton simply refuses to work with Barton again and that leaves little choice for the Club execs but to go down this ugly disciplinary route of orchestrating the way for Barton to depart. The Club either had to back Warburton's heavy handed approach or not back him in which case there would be a managerial 'issue' to be handled instead.
Another aspect of this might also be the effect on the current squad. They will be well aware of what actually happened and be sworn to keep their mouths shut. And they'll see the disciplinary line being taken which leads eventually to exit. They will know what buttons to press / not to press to inflame the anger of the Manager. A good thing.......or dressing room where any sign of face not fitting or not agreeing with the manager risks ending up like Barton? Harsh? Yes, it is and its that way because the actual facts of the so-called 'issue' are a closed book at Ibrox so speculation and judgement on this is uninformed.
I cannot believe there were no better ways for the issue to be handled. Which is another way of saying I believe Warburton, backed by the Club has handled this whole issue badly. That's not about any player being bigger than the Club - in the absence of the facts its not possible for anyone to say whether or not Barton was acting in such a way that he was putting himself about as being bigger than the Club.
I can see this case going to lawyers yet. And with it a heap of very bad publicity for the Club along with a lot of money going into Barton's saddle bags when he leaves Scotland.
