MARK Warburton revealed he was looking to add “some experience, some maturity and some physicality” to his Rangers midfield as he closes in on the signing of Joey Barton. The 33 year-old, soon to become a free agent, was in Glasgow for talks yesterday and was shown around the club’s training ground and stadium by assistant manager Davie Weir. Barton had been widely expected to sign a new contract with Burnley after playing a significant role as they won the English Championship this season but, with only a one-year extension on the table and Barton wanting a longer deal, the door has opened for Rangers to make their move.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR player would be their second signing of the week following the recruitment of Jordan Rossiter from Liverpool. And while Barton’s age means he does not fit in with Rangers’ strategy of targeting younger players with the potential to improve, Warburton admitted he also needed to balance that with more experienced figures.
“We have to get players in who can add value and quality,” he said. “But I think it is important to add some experience, some maturity and some physicality as well. There are not many out there but we are getting closer and finger crossed we can nail one down sometime soon.”
Warburton was pleased to get Rossiter on board but was keen to deny reports the Ibrox club were paying the England under-19 midfielder a wage of £10,000 a week.
“I’m bemused by stories that seem to lead with the amount of wage he is on and that there has been a 40 percent increase in the wage bill available to the club,” he added. “These are randomly picked figures. There is no truth behind them. I find the integrity in writing these statements somewhat bizarre. [Rossiter’s wage] is nowhere near what has been reported. From our point of view it’s important we retain the unity within the squad. Bizarre stories like that serve no purpose.
“It’s a really big coup getting him. He’s a young international, a talented boy with a big future ahead of him in the game. So for us to get him speaks volumes of the work of Frank McParland, who knows him so well.”
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