MARK Warburton, the Rangers manager, is confident midfielder Joey Barton will fit into his Ibrox squad ahead of the new season. The 33-year-old was not part of the group that returned from a training camp in South Carolina on Friday morning but will spend the coming days with Warburton’s side at their Murray Park base ahead of the Betfred Cup tie with Motherwell next weekend.

Barton has already made an impact at Ibrox since agreeing a two-year deal with Rangers in May, with jibes towards Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and captain Scott Brown adding an extra layer of intrigue ahead of the resumption of the Old Firm rivalry in the Premiership next term. The Englishman has often found himself in the spotlight as a result of comments on social media, while he has a colourful past on and off the park.

Barton is likely to be an integral part of Warburton’s blueprint next season and the 53-year-old has no fears over how he will integrate into the dressing room.

“He’s just giving his opinion,” Warburton said. “He’s not saying he’s right or wrong, he’s just giving an opinion. The world would be a healthier place if there were more people like that, possibly. Joey is no different to anyone else and he’ll be the first to say that. He wants an environment that will allow him to flourish and be a winner. They are all competitive animals.

“We’ll get back and sit down, there are certain things but it’s not a rule for Joey Barton and a rule for the others. Joey knows that. I’m not saying that in a dictatorial way, I’m saying it’s the same for all players, you’ve got to be consistent. Anything that’s detrimental to the club isn’t right and it won’t happen.

“He knows that, but all the players know that. It’s not going to be one rule for Joey, one for Niko, one for Kenny or Lee, not at all. That’s how you split your squad up.”

The capture of Barton has been the signing of the summer in Scottish football as the former Manchester City, Newcastle United, QPR and Marseille midfielder turned down a shot at the Premier League with Burnley to make the move north of the border.

It was a switch that Warburton made 12 months ago following his departure from Brentford and he has backed Barton to handle life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl in the coming months.

“I’ve been in the west end and found it to be great,” Warburton said. “It’s where you go, what you do, what times you go out. I’m sure if I want to find trouble in Glasgow....if I want to find trouble in London I know exactly where to go, the wrong places at the wrong times and I’m sure Glasgow is no different. You are a professional and you do the right thing.

“Joey’s a very smart guy - we tell all the new guys how they conduct themselves is very important - where they go, what they do and who they mix with is really important. I’ve got no problem with Joey in any of these areas.”