Mark Warburton has revealed that he has no regrets over signing Joey Barton.
Yesterday the 34-year-old was at Ibrox for showdown talks but no agreement was reached with his club suspension- on full pay- extended into a seventh week.
Warburton was posted missing when Barton signed during the summer but during an exclusive interview with BT Sport he was asked if he stood by the decision to sign the controversial midfielder.
“Absolutely, absolutely,” the former city trader replied. “You know the experience, the quality was there for all to see. I think that everybody was very surprised and excited by that signing. Absolutely I stand by it.”
Warbo added with his usual slight on the media: “I think that it’s important that you have your environment in place, the type of environment that you want to establish and develop.
“Mine and David’s (assistant manager Weir) is very much one of respect. That’s how we do it and I have no problem with opinion. Again I read the media sometimes with dismay, sometimes with despair, the fact is the game is changing, the game of 20 years ago is long gone.”
Warburton’s support for Barton is unlikely to be welcomed by the Ibrox hierarchy who appear to be searching for a way to cancel Barton’s contract.
The fact that the player remains on full pay while suspended suggests that the club are unable to find any grounds to break that contract.
Since being suspended Barton has avoided any comment on the ongoing situation with the club.
Barton’s last match was in the 5-1 defeat from Celtic, three days later he was ordered home from Murray Park after a training ground incident that escalated into a formal suspension.