Barton’s sign our game is thriving
As Brighton’s chief scout Ewan Chester admits he couldn’t find a better player in the Championship last season than Joey Barton.
That’s why the former Rangers spy was thrilled to see the Ibrox club snap him up in the summer.
He tips the Englishman to rip up the Premiership this term – and is excited about the game north of the border after the arrival of Brendan Rodgers at Celtic as well.
Chester, now working at Birmingham City, said: “I worked at Brighton last season but I can say that, undoubtedly, Barton was the best in his position in the Championship.
“Mark Warburton has added a spine of men to a vibrant young team. I’m positive about Rangers’ prospects for this season.
“They have the right people in charge now, 40,000 season tickets sold and their recruitment has been excellent.
“With Brendan coming in at Celtic, as well as the job Derek McInnes is doing at Aberdeen and Robbie Neilson at Hearts – the Scottish game is in a healthier state than it ’s been for a number of years.
“I’ve watched Brendan’s teams over the years and been impressed.
“I also watched Patrick Rober ts and Moussa Dembele for Fulham U21s and tried to get both of them to Brighton.
“They’re high quality signings for Celtic.”