Joey Barton won’t be playing in the game between Rangers and Celtic on Sunday afternoon, and is unlikely to ever play again for Rangers.
The two Glasgow clubs face-off at Hampden Park in the Scottish League Cup Semi-final, the first game between the bitter rivals since Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Rangers in September.
That game is also notable for being Barton’s last in a Rangers’ jersey. The 34-year-old, along with the rest of the Rangers’ team, played poorly in the game, but Barton was involved in a heated bust-up with teammate Andy Halliday the following day.
Barton was suspended by the club after the row, initially for three weeks, but the banishment was prolonged after it was alleged that the former Manchester City midfielder placed bets on a number of games.
Barton was due have a disciplinary hearing with the Scottish Football Association, but reportedly refused to attend the meeting and now looks unlikely to ever play for Rangers again.
That hasn’t stopped him wishing the club well for their semi-final against Celtic.
All the very best for today @RangersFC
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) October 23, 2016
But Twitter users, most of whom we assume are Celtic fans, couldn’t resist taking the piss out of Joey.
— Garry Carmody (@GarryCarmody) October 23, 2016
you got them on your acca?
— Geo Thomson Art (@geokoart) October 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/Sustain_Fitness/status/790121003951194112
Come on up my mate @DerekHowie1's – we'll sort you oot wae a beer and a sash bash
— James 🤌🏻 (@jamesm) October 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/eirebhoy/status/790120176733806592
they'll need it without the self proclaimed 'Best player in Scotland' in their team 😂😂😂. C'mon the Hoops 🍀.
— The Huddle 🍀🏴🤝🇵🇸 (@letsdothehuddle) October 23, 2016
Talk to the gaffer Joey and just say sorry 👍
— Watp James (@james2104) October 23, 2016
you playing? Left back… in the changing room???
— John Maguire (@jdm1878) October 23, 2016
what price is dembele hatrick Joe?
— KevinMcGove (@KevinMcgove) October 23, 2016
couldn't sound anymore desperate if you tried… you put yourself in the position your in. Shouldn't a opened Yi gub!! SB😂😂💚🍀💚
— JohnaliStanton1985 (@stantonbhoy) October 23, 2016
they'll need it without the self proclaimed 'Best player in Scotland' in their team 😂😂😂. C'mon the Hoops 🍀.
— The Huddle 🍀🏴🤝🇵🇸 (@letsdothehuddle) October 23, 2016
— Conor (@conormallon9) October 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/jamiedevlin74/status/790106164646273025
cute real cute
— Michael Duffy (@michaelduffy88) October 23, 2016
Got a lump in my throat…it's not often you see such sincerity.
— Tic 6709 (@macbeth222) October 23, 2016
you've spelt Celtic wrong
— seanzolio (@seanzolio) October 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/B2Morgan/status/790130539193851905
You can catch up on the latest episode of JOE’s Football Friday Live right here…
