Barton leaves Rangers

It's finally happened and can anyone say they're surprised really? The sorry saga of Joey Barton and Rangers always had an inevitable end once the red mist had descended in that training ground bust up.

Reports confirm that he has had his contract terminated with immediate effect and by mutual consent yesterday. My personal opinion is that it's shorthand for Rangers wanting rid of a divisive character asap and the player wanting to go also.

What do you mean this photo will look stupid if it all goes wrong?!
 

It had actually been looking promising quite recently as previous talks between the player & club went well (seemingly). He had been allowed back into training and was working on his fitness with a view to breaking back into the first team. Reports from Scotland suggest that it wasn't quite as rosy as that though. Although he was back training, it was with the under 20's which was never going to sit well with such a proud, experienced professional.

Barton had only lasted one day doing this before being signed off by his doctor with stress which then has triggered this latest development. I would say it seems Rangers set him up to fail by making him train with the kids - they knew he wouldn't do it and when he wouldn't, it gave them their excuse to drop the axe.

So where next for Joey Barton? Football is a kind mistress if you're a good player so he won't be short of offers. My feeling is he will end up back at Burnley with the manager who seemed to understand him most or Sunderland who need a lift to beat the drop.

                 In hindsight, Halliday regretted the decision to confront Barton
during training