NEW Rangers signing Joey Barton has spoken dismissively about Scott Brown, claiming the Celtic captain is “nowhere near the level I am as a player”. Barton, who completed a two-year deal with the Ibrox club last month, will likely find himself in direct opposition to Brown in next season’s Old Firm derbies but believes he has nothing to fear from the Scotland midfielder.
The Englishman has been a notoriously outspoken figure throughout his career and his latest remarks will add to the crackling intensity already building ahead of Rangers’ return to the top flight for the first time in four years.
“People keep talking about Joey Barton and Scott Brown,” the former Burnley player told TalkSport. “He ain’t in my league. He is nowhere near the level I am as a player. He can’t get to me. If I play well, Scott Brown doesn’t stand a chance. That is not me being blasé. That is me just stating what I believe.
“I have been a marked man for 10 years in England - a lot of it by my own doing – and I am comfortable with it. I am comfortable with expectation, I’m comfortable with pressure, I’m comfortable with my mindset and focus I have in terms of turning in my own performances. If I get to that level, unfortunately for anybody up there, they ain’t going to be able to live with me.”
The 33 year-old, though, spoke more warmly about Scottish football in general, and revealed he expects to be thoroughly tested next season.
“There are some good sides, some really good players there who are going to be ultra-competitive,” he added. “I am expecting I have got to be at the best of my ability for Rangers to do what they need to do. I’ve trained and am ready to go. I have played against Scottish players south of the border. Every one of them gives you a game, every one of them is at it. I am expecting nothing less.”
Barton had previously revealed a determination to make a name for himself in Scottish football. “There are some good players up here. But I’m not coming up here to be another player. I’m coming up here to be the best player in the country.”
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