BRAZIL
Joey’s jibes are great for Scottish football
JOEY BARTON can talk the talk with the best of them.
He has repeatedly proved that on my radio show since signing for Rangers!
Scott Brown (“He ain’t in my league”) and Brendan Rodgers (“He’s never won anything”) both felt the sharp edge of Joey’s tongue over the summer.
But now, after the Gers star’s latest swipe at Celtic’s boss, it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is – it’s time for him to walk the walk.
That’s something Joey would admit himself. I’ve no doubt about that whatsoever.
And, for me, there’s also no doubt that he’s capable of backing himself up when push comes to shove between the Old Firm.
Let’s get something straight right away – I like Joey. I think he’s a clever guy and a very good footballer.
Some have knocked him for the “mid-life crisis” jibe he aimed at the Celtic manager on my show a few mornings back.
But the knockers need to get a grip. It was a joke! A harmless bit of banter!
And what’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with injecting a bit of spice into things?
Seriously, where is the crime in trying to make this SPFL Premiership season a bigger box-office draw than it already is?
Never mind showing himself up, Joey is doing Scottish football a favour!
His comments might be a bit cheeky, but they are gaining an incredible amount of publicity in England, where Scottish football is often regarded a backwater.
The one thing I would concede to Joey’s critics is that he has painted a target on his back.
By calling out his opponents, he is taking a risk.
But Joey will relish that. He will thrive on being the man his opponents are focused on.
Don’t forget, it wasn’t so long ago that he was dominating attention in the Premier League, and was title-winning Burnley’s player of the year last season.
All of his talk and all of his tongue-in-cheek comments are designed to ensure he plays the same role for Rangers. He doesn’t shy away from being in the thick of things. He has made a career out of getting stuck right in there.
I was winding Joey up the other day when news of Scott Brown’s retirement from Scotland duty broke.
“Look, Broony has quit so he can concentrate 100% on kicking you!” I told him.
It didn’t faze him at all. And, even as a Celtic fan, I can’t wait to see how the pair square up at Parkhead on September 10.
I thought Brown’s response to Barton’s summer swipe was smart and classy.
“I’m not in his league,” the Celtic captain admitted. “He’s in mine!”
Joey would have enjoyed that. Even more, he would have respected it.
Similarly, Brendan Rodgers was right to take the high road over the “teeth and tan” chat.
He’ll be hoping his side do their talking on the park rather than in the media. But that’s no criticism of Barton at all. He’s fantastic value, and just the the kind of personality Scottish football has been crying out for.
The big question now is whether he has the physicality to match it.
And that’s a query I can’t wait to see Celtic put to him in less than three weeks’ time.
Where is the crime in trying to make the SPFL season a bigger box-office draw?