JOEY BARTON has lifted the lid on his infamous final game for Rangers, a 5-1 defeat at Celtic Park. The Scottish Champions demolished Rangers as Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed their first taste of a Glasgow Derby following the promotion of Rangers that year.
Now, the Fleetwood Town manager has opened up on his time at Ibrox, branding some of it as ‘amateur’. The 37-year-old also revealed that Andy Halliday had to be consoled after finding out he has been dropped ahead of the fixture in September 2016.
Moussa Dembele scored twice before Joey Garner pulled one back for Mark Warburton’s Rangers as half time drew nearer. Celtic, though, added a third, fourth and fifth without reply from Rangers as Philippe Senderos was sent marching for a second bookable offence. Self-proclaimed superstar Joey Barton has dissected the game in an interview with the CFB football podcast.
“We’re playing Celtic at Celtic Park. I’ve said I’m going to be the best player in Scotland and all eyes are on me and Scott Brown.
“We did team shape on Thursday. Andy Halliday was having something to eat later that night and he says, ‘I’m not playing tomorrow’.
“He was in the team shape on the Thursday, so we’ve had all this preparation, so why is he changing the team on the Friday?
“We found out on the Saturday that Warbs was concerned the team had been leaked, so he decided to change it. But he didn’t tell Andy – he texted him, despite us all being in the hotel.
“Andy’s a mad Rangers man and a good lad. He was clearly upset. It was just amateur hour everywhere. We turn up at the stadium and run the gauntlet of the Celtic fans.”
Andy Halliday in tears loses staunch points but they won’t have been the only tears shed by the Rangers support as the Saturday lunchtime would have been far more upsetting as Celtic dominated from the first whistle and won 5-1.
From memory, Barton was anonymous in the game after he was firmly placed in Scott Brown’s back pocket at the pre-match handshakes. Maybe that is something to do with the fact Barton blames Warburton’s team selection for the defeat, claiming he knew before the game that he would be on the losing side.
“I know we’re going to lose the game because of the team selection.
“It’s me, Josh Windass and Niko Kranjcar in centre midfield against Scott Brown, Nir Bitton and Callum McGregor.
“Josh and Niko are good players but not ones you really want in the trenches with you at Parkhead. You want warhorses.
“I knew all the rubbish (sic) I was going to get because we weren’t winning that game. Before the game Kenny Miller is having a go. Andy’s trying to galvanise the troops.
“I look to my right and there’s Warburton shaking. He was supposed to be the leader and he’s shaking like a dog.
Barton’s professionalism and class shines through when his prematch ritual includes telling himself not to get sent off.
“I remember thinking, ‘Don’t get sent off’. My mindset was not about winning. It was not getting sent off. We got overrun and lost 5-1 to Celtic.”
The defeat to Celtic was one of the first major events of Rodgers’ tenure and it banished any notion of an immediate challenge from Warburton’s Rangers as they were smacked down and embarrassed. Celtic put down a marker in terms of professionalism and class as they made light work of Rangers. Barton’s involvement in the game is overstated, it was the same scoreline in the last Glasgow Derby of the season, this time 1-5 to the Champions of Scotland.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
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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