Ian Ferguson is the latest former Rangers (IL) player to denounce Joey Barton.
During the summer the garden was rosy as Barton’s arrival was acclaimed as as the master-stoke to take the title from Celtic.
As the season ticket sales piled up so to did expectations. Reality kicked in on the opening day of the season as Hamilton Accies took a point from Mark Warburton’s all stars with the roof falling in with defeats at Celtic and Aberdeen.
Barton has become the fall guy for the disastrous start to the season with attention switched away from the dug out and Dave King’s plan for over-investment.
Last week Alex Rae, Kris Boyd and Ian Durrant explained why Barton should quit Ibrox with Ferguson picking up the baton.
Speaking to the Evening Times he explained: “Once again we are talking about off field things rather than on the field. I don’t know Barton as a person, I know him as a player.
“Regardless of whether it is Joey Barton or anyone else, if you have a discussion with the manager and it gets hot headed, there is only going to be one winner and that has got to be the manager.
“There are a lot more important matters at Rangers than Joey Barton at the moment. It is like a pantomime and our friends in the East will be happy to see all of this unfolding.
Adding a slightly different twist to the standard story Ferguson believes that Warbo should have acted tougher on Barton.
“I am a bit embarrassed by it to be honest,” he added. “There is no need for three or four weeks out and then come back and see me. That is ludicrous, it is an absolute pantomime and it is not good for Rangers.
“I think Mark Warburton should have made a tough decision there and then. I saw it when Graham Roberts had a discussion with Graeme Souness and within 30 seconds it was over and Graham never kicked a ball for Rangers again.”
Barton is on the fifth week of a club suspension while picking up full pay.