I’m not ready to join Joey and Brendan just yet

DARREN FLETCHER won’t consider joining the big-name influx to Scottish football until he turns 34, content there will be plenty entertainment watching the rejuvenated Ladbrokes Premiership as an outsider for the next two years.

The West Brom midfielder has been impressed with boyhood team Celtic’s capture of Brendan Rodgers and hailed Rangers’ recruitment of old Manchester derby rival Joey Barton.

He’ll be as intrigued as any follower to discover how last week’s new arrivals fare. And the prospect of national team colleague Scott Brown squaring up to Barton already has Fletcher anticipating the first Old Firm clash of the season.

‘I’m the same as everyone else — I can’t wait to see him and Broony have a stare-off,’ grinned Fletcher. ‘It’s going to be great pantomime isn’t it?

‘But Joey’s a great player, I think that’s the main thing. That is why he’s a good signing for Rangers. I’ve played against him since he as a kid. We played Man City-Man Utd and we’ve always got on well.

‘I don’t think he will be shy in telling people what he thinks. Although he’s controversial, he plays up to that role. But he’s a very underrated player.

‘Joey and Brendan Rodgers are great acquisitions for both clubs and everyone is looking to Scottish football next season and seeing how it’s going to be.

‘It’s great for the game. Rodgers is a fantastic manager. You see the reaction from the fans and how happy they are. Who knows, there might be more names on the way.’

Celtic were linked with a move for Fletcher when he left United on a free in February 2015 but he penned a three-and-a-half year Hawthorns deal to remain in the English top flight.

A swansong back home in the Scottish league is not ruled out by the 32-year-old.

Fletcher said: ‘I’ve two years left on my deal, which takes me to 34. We’ll see what happens. All my focus is on West Brom.’