RANGERS LATEST

Michael Ball knows exactly how Joey Barton is feeling.

A crushing defeat at Celtic Park in your first Old Firm game followed by a bust-up with your gaffer.

When Ball heard about Barton’s turbulent week in Glasgow he felt a sharp sense of deja vu.

It was 15 years ago that his fellow Scouser experienced a similar episode at Rangers under Dick Advocaat.

While losing 2- 0 at Parkhead, Ball wasn’t happy about being substituted and had a public pop at the Dutchman as he went off.

Barton might have waited 48 hours before his training ground spat with team-mate Andy Halliday and row with boss Mark Warburton.

But the circumstances hit a chord with Ball. Especially as it was Barton, an old pal from their Man City days.

Ball told MailSport: “The situations are similar in that they were both off the back of an Old Firm defeat. Last week was Joey’s first derby, same as it was for myself in 2001.

“For an outsider up there, it’s different to any game you’ve been involved in. There’s so much hype and build-up so when you lose, it’s really sore. Especially when it happens in the manner it did for Rangers last week.

“I surprised myself when I had a go at Advocaat that day because it wasn’t me. But this is what a defeat in that game can do.

“This is the first time Joey’s had to deal with it. To be on the losing side won’t have been easy for him because he’s a winner. His frustration has then boiled over in training but that’s the Old Firm for you, it can bring out the worst in people. It’s an experience he has to learn from.”

Ball became friends with Barton during their spell at the Etihad. He admits the midfielder’s volatile nature boiled over a few times and even gaffer