MATT GILKS is confident Joey Barton will make his presence felt on and off the park at Rangers this term after being handed his Ibrox debut on Tuesday night.
The midfielder was a second-half substitute as Mark Warburton’s side beat Annan 2-0 to make it two wins from two games in the Betfred Cup. He replaced midfielder Niko Kranjcar for the final half an hour and was given a rousing reception by the Ibrox crowd as Rangers continued their preparations for the new Premiership campaign with a comfortable victory.
Barton was instrumental for Burnley last season as the Clarets clinched the Championship crown but he turned down a crack at the top flight to make the move across the border and lead the Light Blues’ bid for the Premiership title.
He will have a key part to play in Rangers’ title bid this term and former Turf Moor team-mate Gilks isn’t surprised to see the 33-year-old making an instant after getting his first match minutes under his belt.
“He was outstanding [last season]. He will probably do the same here as he did at Burnley,” Gilks said. “I was telling the lads, because he didn’t come to America, that he will raise standards. He will come in and demand in training, he is a voice, he likes an opinion, he doesn’t shut up at times. But he is here to help and I think him in the team, should he start, will be a massive influence on everyone to learn from and play alongside
“Sean Dyche had to stop him talking on the first day! I have said before that Joey has got a lot of bad press in his career but he is so involved in the game, he wants to watch every game he can. He talks about it passionately. He was speaking in the meeting the other day and you can tell his desire and determination to succeed still. That can only be a good thing for Rangers.
“It [the meeting] was just how we play and systems, the rotation and he is just getting to know it. He wants to learn it before he does it. He will go out and look at it, he will watch videos of it. He came in after the Motherwell game and said this, that and the other. He is an experienced pro and the young lads will learn from him. He is a voice and he is good to have in the dressing room.”
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