FORMER Celtic defender Mark Wilson has warned Joey Barton that Hoops captain Scott Brown will be fired up by the Rangers midfielder's recent jibes.
The former England midfielder said of Brown: 'He's not even in my league - he's nowhere near the level of player I am. He can't get near me. If I play well, Brown does not stand a chance.'
Wilson believes that Brown will be ready to prove him wrong when the Old Firm comes around, a fixture he thinks Barton won't be prepared for.
Read more: Joey Barton: Scott Brown isn't in my league
Wilson said: "I had a wee chuckle about that when I read Joey's comments. He is obviously trying his best to mix things up.
"He's a top-quality player and I've always admired him but to be fair so is Scott Brown.
"Scott has been at the top of the game, especially up here, for so many years.
"I'm sure Broony will have heard those comments and will be ready when it comes to the first Old Firm game to show that he can lay a glove on Barton.
"Scott has the experience of playing in these big derbies which Barton doesn't. He has sampled everything and knows what to expect.
"Joey Barton is new to things up here and I'm sure it will be an eye-opener for him when he runs down the tunnel for the first derby.
"He has played in some big games for some big clubs during his career but nothing will come close to playing in an Old Firm game.
"Joey is making an impression all right. That's what he's going to bring. He's always been a controversial character but that's what we've been missing for the last three or four years.
Read more: Rangers deny collapsed talks with Mark Warburton and underline manager's commitment
"It's all exciting. I just can't wait for the first Old Firm game."
Wilson was also impressed by the Bhoys hiring former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers earlier this summer.
"It was a brilliant appointment," he said.
"He was always my number one choice to become Celtic manager.
"The board knew they needed to make a massive appointment and they have gone and got their first choice guy, so hats off to them.
"I just can't wait to see how he will transform the team with his style of play and how he will put that into play. Hopefully he will bring success.
"With Rangers coming up, it's going to be a great season and I'm looking forward to it."
The ex-Scotland international wasn't surprised to see Colin Kazim-Richards depart and expects the squad overhaul to continue.
"You would think more would follow," said Wilson.
"That was pretty evident from last season that whoever came in was going to do that. Kazim-Richards was one of the strangest signings I've seen at Celtic.
"So Rodgers will clear them out, get them off the wage bill.
"You'd think the Celtic board would give him some money to spend and he will bring in quality.
"But what I'm looking forward to seeing is his coaching and how he plans to work with the players already there, whether he can turn them into a nice passing team who play attacking football in a successful style."
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