MX23RW : Friday, November 8 16:49:25| >> :120:9575:9575:

Joey Barton: 'I could not turn Rangers down'

Joey Barton says that the chance to join Rangers instead of re-signing for Burnley was too good to turn down.

Joey Barton has conceded that the "competitive animal" within convinced him to join Rangers.

The out-of-contract midfielder was offered a new deal by Burnley, having helped the Clarets to return to the Premier League as winners of the Championship last term.

However, despite conceding that it was a tough decision to walk away from Turf Moor, the 33-year-old revealed that the lure of Ibrox proved too strong.

"Thanks to all the Burnley fans and everyone connected to the club. Amazing support this year that will live with me for a lifetime," he wrote on Twitter.

"Toughest decision of my professional life to leave an amazing set of people and a phenomenal culture behind. Club is in a great place on and off the pitch with great custodians at the helm.

"I was presented with an opportunity and challenge the competitive animal in me just could not turn down. Onwards and upwards now."

The one-capped England international is believed to already be in Glasgow, where he is undergoing a medical.

ID:273357: cacheID:273357:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1882:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joey Barton celebrates with teammates as his deflected free kick goes in for the opening goal during the Championship match between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on April 22, 2016
Read Next:
Report: Joey Barton opts to join Rangers
>
Read more about Joey Barton Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!