MATTHEW LINDSAY
Barton would improve Rangers and sell season tickets
The Ibrox board was delighted when Barton’s name was presented to them. He is many things, not all of them positive, but he is box office . . .
AT close of business last Friday evening, no fewer than 18,000 Rangers fans had, despite the deadline for renewal still being weeks away and prices having gone up considerably, bought season tickets for the 2016/17 campaign.
That already impressive uptake will increase substantially if, as looks very likely, Joey Barton puts pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Ibrox club this week.
Mark Warburton is keen to sign the former Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and Marseille midfielder because he will improve his team significantly.
But the acquisition of such a highprofile player will also result in a rush for season books among a support which was looking forward to next term with some anticipation as it was.
Rangers bringing in a controversial figure like Barton, whose previous misdemeanours are many and in some instances highly unsavoury, has already polarised opinion among their followers. Some are excited, others are downright disgusted.
Warburton is the only man who decides on potential signing targets at Rangers. But the Ibrox board was delighted when Barton’s name was presented to them. He is many things, not all of them positive, but he is certainly box office. His presence in Govan will put bums on seats.
This isn’t the first time in recent years that an Old Firm club has brought in a player of some renown in England who is approaching the end of his career. In the past, it has been a deliberate attempt to generate interest among their fan base and boost crowds. It hasn’t always been an entirely successful policy. In fact, it has often been a disaster.
Just this season Celtic signed Carlton Cole. The one-time Chelsea, Aston Villa, West Ham and England striker was certainly well-known in this country. Supporters welcomed his arrival and belted out the anthem which their Upton Park counterparts had previously come up with even when the player was warming up on the sidelines.
Cole has featured in just five games, four of them as a substitute, scored just once, against part-time Stranraer in the William Hill Scottish Cup, and looked every one of his 32 years. His current whereabouts are, even though he is contracted until 2017, unknown. He was certainly nowhere to be seen as his team-mates received the Premiership trophy at Parkhead yesterday.
In the past, Ian Wright, Thomas Gravesen, Freddie Ljunberg, Juninho, James Beattie and Francis Jefffers have all materialised at either Celtic or Rangers. The involvement of players well past their sell-by date who are trading on their reputations and essentially topping up their pensions has tarnished our national game. To see promising youngsters left out while ageing team-mates try and fail to rediscover their best form has been sad.
But Barton won’t be one of them. The 33-year-old has played 38 times for Burnley this season as the Turf Moor club have won the Sky Bet Championship and promotion to the Barclays Premiership. He was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year as a result of his accomplished displays.
Warburton has an impressive track record in the transfer market. Every player he brought in after being appointed last summer has performed well.
He won’t, then, sign somebody just because there are certain commercial benefits, even with the financial problems which Rangers continue to wrestle with.
The supporters will continue not to buy official merchandise in large numbers next season in protest over the retail deal which the current regime inherited when they took over last year. Can you imagine how many replica strips with “Barton” on the back Rangers would be able to sell if they didn’t?
AND ANOTHER THING
THE bottle of malt whisky the members of the Scottish Football Writers’ Association presented Ronny Deila with following his final press conference as Celtic manager after the Motherwell game yesterday was an indication of the high esteem he was held in by the media in this country.
The Norwegian has certainly made mistakes during his two years in charge – all of which have been highlighted, criticised and debated by the newspaper, radio and television reporters who have covered the Parkhead club.
Yet the manner in which the 40-yearold has conducted himself in has always been exemplary. He has remained affable and obliging throughout his tenure – even when he was under pressure that must have been intolerable.
A thoroughly decent man, he can leave with his head held high. The experience he has gained in Scotland will prove invaluable to him in his next managerial appointment.