Mark Warburton was not willing to discuss Joey Barton’s Rangers exile after the club were held to a 0-0 draw by Ross County on Saturday.
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Barton threw his future at Ibrox into doubt last Tuesday after a training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday.
Rangers’ English manager Mark Warburton can expect little sympathy from the Scottish press – who he had labelled as negative after the criticism he and the team got following the drubbing by Celtic – after a woeful performance at home to Ross County.
“Neither party will make any further statement or comment on this issue”.
After being asked if he was still a Rangers player, Barton told Sky Sports: “I think so”.
His decision to go air did not sit well with the Ibrox side who look to sanction and approve every interview carried out by their staff and personnel. It’s nothing more and nothing less than that.
Barton, who signed a two-year contract in pre-season, added: “The way it’s been handled is odd”.
Rangers face Queen of the South in the Scottish League Cup tomorrow, while rivals Celtic host Alloa in the competition on Wednesday.
“I’m sure you’ll agree we created more than enough chances to win two or three games”.
“Maybe I could communicate better and I accept that, but the message doesn’t change”.
But the Englishman did insist he will continue to carry out the type of post-match debriefs which sparked the Barton row – but stressed he will not stand for players overstepping the line with their comments.
“We spoke to the boys and I always refer to the money markets, if you drop a load of money you don’t get it back the following day, you chip away at your basics and get your 10s and your 20s back and you build.”
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“It’s the tone of language I’ve used [that was the problem]”.
