Anyone who thought Joey Barton was still living in Scott Brown’s back pocket is having to think again. Looks like with strict self-isolation protocols in place, Scott Brown must have had to set Joey free.

It hasn’t taken long since his escape to get his point across. The man with an opinion on everything has been talking to the ‘Football CFB Podcast’ as reported in Scottish Sun. He covered a lot of topics and landed on the subject of our very own Scott Brown.

From initially telling us all the Celtic captain wasn’t in his league prior to being on the end of a 5-1 Glasgow Derby defeat – where Brown did indeed prove Barton correct, the Celtic captain was a good couple of leagues ahead – Barton seems to have re-assessed his judgment, but not before questioning Brown’s decision to stay at Celtic rather than test himself down south.

“He has had a phenomenal career, but there’s a reason he hasn’t come to the Premier League, a reason he hasn’t come and mixed it in the big shark tank down here.

“If he had done he would probably get a lot more respect because he is a good player, there’s no doubt about it, I’ve seen it on the European nights.

“Barry Ferguson to his credit, he came down here, Lennon came down here, they’ve all come down here.

“So to have yourself as a serious European player you have got to come to England.

“If you are the top boy in Scotland you have got to come and have a go in the Premier League.”

Barton is right of course Scott Brown has had a fantastic career. Despite winning 9 league titles, 5 Scottish cups and 6 league cups, I’m sure Barton has Scott sussed. The Celtic captain gets kept awake at night worrying all about the respect he’s missing from England.

When Scott polishes his medals he often stares into space and wonders what if I’d only played at QPR and Newcastle United, things could have been so different.

Sometimes the high opinion the English have for their own league beggars belief. You don’t, as Barton claims, become a top European player by playing in England, you do it by winning trophies and qualifying for the European tournaments you get as reward. Brown has played more European games for Celtic than any other player.

Scott Brown has now become a Celtic Captain mentioned in the same breath as Billy McNeill. He’s bossed Scottish midfields for Celtic since 2007. Barton on the other had headed north with fanfare and bluster and retreated south at the first sign of a heated argument with Andy Halliday – never mind the lessons Scott Brown taught him at Celtic Park – with his tail between his legs.

You know what though credit where it’s due. Barton learned he couldn’t lace Scott Brown’s boots and he has taken his medicine on that one. Yet the once capped midfielder is still not scared to spout an opinion or twelve. I do like that about him, he’s always got something to say. I’d rather listen to that than Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer that’s for sure. Unless I was having a sleepless night of course.

But do us a favour talking about respect Joey. You showed Scottish football and Scott Brown none whatsoever and you took a dull one.

The last guy who should talk of respect from other professionals is Joey Barton. Just think though, if Scott Brown had played in England and earned the respect Barton had, when it came to retiring he could have called in a few favours and ended up at Fleetwood Town. Now that’s what you get for all that respect. Nice one.

He’s a big fan of The Smiths is Joey Barton. So here’s one for you soft lad. Bigmouth Strikes Again.

INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr

🏃‍♂️ “I did my own winter training camp in Dubai, at the same time as the team was there!”#CelticFC tour guide @Boola_vogue is running the #TokyoMarathon🇯🇵 to raise funds for @FoundationCFC. pic.twitter.com/T6joeAgPLe

— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) February 5, 2019

The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.

If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.

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