Barton ‘just the man’ for Old Firm job

JOEY BARTON is the ideal man to lead Rangers into an Old Firm clash.

That’s the verdict of his former Burnley team-mate, Andre Gray.

Gray, now valued at £20 million, hit a hat-trick against the Light Blues in a friendly last weekend and is being tipped to take the English Premier League by storm this season.

His success is all down to being plucked from non-league Luton Town by Mark Warburton when he was Brentford boss.

Barton is a different type of signing by Warburton but Gray believes he’s the ideal one for Rangers.

He said: “If you haven’t seen much of him already, you’ll see a lot more! He’s quality on the ball and his experience is second to none.

“That will be important when the big games start coming in the league. You’ll see the real Joey then.

“He’ll be fantastic because he’s made for this club. He is exactly what the fans will love.”

Mouths are already watering at the thought of Barton and Scott Brown going head-to-head in the firstOldFirmgameoftheseason on September 10.

Gray’s money is on the Englishman dominating proceedings.

He went on: “That’s a game built for him. There’s not another player better suited to it.

“He thrives on occasions like that. The mind games have already started with him and that’s what Joey’s all about.

“He’s respected around the dressing room.

“He has a harsh tongue, but it’s all about being cruel to be kind.

“I know the way Mark Warburton and Davie Weir work. They’re a lot calmer and like to talk to players.

“Sometimes you need a rollicking and Joey will do that.”

The Rangers manager and his assistant transformed Gray from a non-league hopeful to a top-level predator.

The 25-year-old said: “I can’t speak highly enough about their manmanagement.

“I don’t see why Mark can’t make it to a big English club one day.

“He’s still learning and he’s only going to get better.”