Sunday Post

[BridgeIsBlue 66,671]

RANGERS were last night locked in signing talks with Joey Barton.

The sensational move came as Mark Warburton stepped up his efforts to assemble a side capable of challenging Celtic for the Premiership title next season.

The 33-year-old Burnley midfielder was shown round both Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park yesterday.

 

And following his talks with coaching staff and club officials, it is understood the Light Blues are optimistic of landing their target on a two-year deal.

If so, he will follow in the footsteps of Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter and Accrington Stanley pair Josh Windass and Matt Crooks in signing up for next season’s return to the top flight.

There are understood to be more moves afoot, with Hibs star striker Jason Cummings and Graham Dorrans of Norwich City both believed to be Ibrox bound.

Approaching the end of his one-year deal with the Clarets, Barton, an often controversial figure throughout his career, is available to move for nothing as a free agent.

The Championship title winners want him to stay on for their return to the English Premier and have offered him a 12-month contract.

He, however, sees that as too short at this stage of his career and has therefore held off on signing – a pause which alerted Rangers, in particular their head of recruitment, Frank McParland.

He brought the former Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Marseille player to Burnley when he was working as their sporting director.

The two men have remained close and it is that association which Rangers hope will now pay off as Barton decides whether to take what would almost certainly be a substantial drop in salary in exchange for the chance to embark on a footballing adventure.

 

A colourful character not afraid to express himself in the media, social or otherwise, he would represent a departure from the model Mark Warburton has been following of signing young gifted players who can add value. Men, in fact, exactly like Rossiter.

He does, however, tick all the boxes in terms of the experienced midfield campaigner the Rangers manager says he is after.

“I think it is important to add some experience, some maturity and some physicality as well,” said Warburton.

“There are not many out there, but we are getting closer and fingers crossed we can nail one down sometime soon.

“We are close on a couple more. The work is being done now and hopefully we can nail them down in the next 10 to 12 days.

“I want as many as possible in place when we come back on June 18.”

The £250,000 signing of Rossiter was tied up on Friday night and Warburton was delighted about the capture of a player he believes will help on the pitch in the short term and, eventually, earn the club several millions in a transfer fee back south of the Border.

“It’s a really big coup for us,” he said.

“Jordan is a young internationalist, a talented boy with a big future ahead of him in the game. So for us to get him speaks volumes of the work of Frank McParland, who knows him so well.

“A lot of work went into that type of signing and there was commitment from Jordan, who had lot of other offers.

“I’m sure that he understands Rangers and I’m delighted to have him on board. He’s technically gifted, he has the heart the size of a lion, he’s tenacious and athletically very good.

“He’s pitch aware – his pitch geography is very good – and he’s the captain of the Liverpool under-19 team.

“There were a number of clubs chasing him but I’m sure they were wary of tribunals so we have maximised that situation and all credit to Frank for spotting an opportunity and moving swiftly.”

If Barton follows suit, the head of recruitment will be able to congratulate himself on a more than impressive start to his summer duties.

 

Alan Brazil’s verdict

JOEY BARTON will be taking a massive step down if he signs for Rangers.

But at his age, the Gers – and the Scottish Premiership – could be a perfect fit for him.

With the best will in the world, I reckon Barton would struggle to shine in the Premier League these days. He’s 33-years-old, let’s not forget.

But he has been playing at a good level in the Championship for a long while now, and by all accounts this season has been his best in years.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he could do a job for Rangers.

In fact, if Mark Warburton manages to sign the guy, I’d even say it would be something of a coup.

For a guy who has just played a key role in winning the Championship with Burnley, the Scottish Premiership will be a relative walk in the park.

Barton would be a real standout – I really believe that.

And I don’t say that to disrespect Scottish football.

I say it because he’s a decent player and the schedule, which is much more relaxed than he’s been used to, would suit him.

I wouldn’t have any concerns at all about his fitness or his ability.

The thorny issue, as ever, is has he screwed the nut?

That’s a question I guarantee Mark Warburton will have to answer sooner rather than later.

But while it sounds like a harsh judgement, I don’t think it is.

The facts speak for themselves. When was the last time Joey got himself in any serious bother?

Nothing springs immediately to mind for me, so I think you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

You also have to give credit to the Rangers manager and his assistant Davie Weir.

They are both meticulous guys and there is absolutely no way they would have proceeded down this road without doing their homework first.

They will have been on the phone to Sean Dyche at Burnley, to the staff at his last club, QPR, getting all the reports they can get their hands on.

If they are being told that Joey is fine – and I think he is these days – then they have to trust that information.

As a result, Rangers fans have to trust them.

The bottom line is that Barton would be a great addition to the Rangers squad for next season’s Premiership push.

It would then be up to Celtic – and the rest of the division – to respond.

https://www.sundaypost.com/sport/football/joey-barton-brink-joining-rangers-cummings-dorrans/

 

 

[tannerall 25,935]

"The sensational move came as Mark Warburton stepped up his efforts to assemble a side capable of challenging Celtic for the Premiership title next season."

Looks like the Sunday Post still believe cellic have a divine right to the title. With us in the mix I can actually see Hearts and Aberdeen challenging them too next season. 

[Jimfanciesthedude 25,086]

Im warming more to bartons signing now, could be the guy needed to keep the young guys on the ground

[Rangers Lady 2,380]

 

Anyone else read Warbs quotes with his voice in yer head.

 

I get the pauses, Rs and emphasise spot on   

[Drum 160]

37 minutes ago, BridgeIsBlue said:

Alan Brazil’s verdict

JOEY BARTON will be taking a massive step down if he signs for Rangers.

No such drivel of course when Carton Cole signed for 'ra poops. 

[Blumhoilann 6,712]

11 minutes ago, Rangers Lady said:

 

Anyone else read Warbs quotes with his voice in yer head.

 

I get the pauses, Rs and emphasise spot on   

You're in love

[plumbGER 24,518]

Decent article but the part about the schedule being more relaxed is total nonsense.

We will be competing and expecting to win all 3 domestic trophies and also possibly playing in Europe expecting to give a good account of ourselves.

That and playing teams EVERY week who treat us as their cup final.

[Ferris Bueller 1,569]

Think is says a lot about Brazil's opinion that he has a column in the Sunday post! 

[B1872 21,419]

Alan Brazil walks like John Wayne!

[Ryju84 3,170]

22 minutes ago, Rangers Lady said:

 

Anyone else read Warbs quotes with his voice in yer head.

 

I get the pauses, Rs and emphasise spot on   

Im still waiting for him to voice my Sat Nav  

Id gladly drive off road just to hear his voice repeating directions to me 

[Gazza1212 1,212]

11 minutes ago, B1872 said:

Alan Brazil walks like John Wayne!

?

[KingKirk 25,889]

what position does dorrans play ?

[RFC Eagle 4,888]

16 minutes ago, KingKirk said:

what position does dorrans play ?

Attacking Midfielder. Not sure this one will happen I think a defender and striker are bigger priorities if the Barton deal happens and a GK to put pressure on Wes.

[markem 7,333]

8 minutes ago, RFC Eagle said:

Attacking Midfielder. Not sure this one will happen I think a defender and striker are bigger priorities if the Barton deal happens and a GK to put pressure on Wes.

Agree and Full back cover 

[DamienM855 413]

3 minutes ago, markem said:

Agree and Full back cover 

This is a necessity IMO. An injury to Wallace or Tav puts our entire team off balance. Halliday and Wilson can both play LB, but I don't think we have anyone who can step in at RB, unless Warburton feels that Ryan Sinnamon is capable of stepping in.

[TheMotor 2,208]

1 hour ago, tannerall said:

"The sensational move came as Mark Warburton stepped up his efforts to assemble a side capable of challenging Celtic for the Premiership title next season."

Looks like the Sunday Post still believe cellic have a divine right to the title. With us in the mix I can actually see Hearts and Aberdeen challenging them too next season. 

Hearts and Aberdeen will be challenging them next season. For second.

We'll be way over the horizon.

[Rangers Lady 2,380]

1 hour ago, Jimbeamjunior said:

Im warming more to bartons signing now, could be the guy needed to keep the young guys on the ground

 

What it will also do is raise our profile further next season,

Bit like when Gazza joined,

He scooped up a huge amount of recruits for our fanbase, won't be nearly as effective as Gazza, but, a sale is a sale if it goes to Rangers and not fat Mike

[Sparkle 53,947]

1 hour ago, Ferris Bueller said:

Think is says a lot about Brazil's opinion that he has a column in the Sunday post! 

He replaced Francis Gay

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

8 minutes ago, Sparkle said:

He replaced Francis Gay

Who? 

[The Ibrox Derry 9,058]

A major "Ragin Tims" scenario if he signs as he has turned them down on numerous occasions. The fools still believe that Brendan Rodgers will be their next manager aswell ha ha ha, the clowns just don't see that Brendan's agent started the story just to put him in the shop window for clubs across Europe. Oh the Tim's are just gullible fools eh lol

[WATP-FOREVER 5,231]

1 hour ago, Drum said:

No such drivel of course when Carton Cole signed for 'ra poops. 

A guy that has been treated in the worst, most demonic way by the timmigrant club - it's amazing he is not condemning them on a daily basis.

[THE_Ibrox_Preacher 2,812]

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[Gaffbear 4,107]

I trust Warbs so ill go with what he wants...like the thought if Dorrans to be honest ...Cummings can come once he gets a decent hair cut ?

[GrizzlyBear72 261]

"Joey Barton will be taking a massive step down if he signs for Rangers"......

Away n bile yer heid n make shtyoopit soup, Brazil, ya fool!!!

[THE_Ibrox_Preacher 2,812]

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