Joey Barton’s time at Rangers has come to an end
Joey Barton has had his contract terminated by Rangers with immediate effect.
The Englishman was suspended by the club for nearly two months following a bust up on the training ground.
Within a week, though, the midfielder was signed off with stress and the club started talks over a severance agreement.
Rangers are expected to have paid Barton around £150,000 which finally ends his nightmare spell as an Ibrox player.
It was in the 5-1 defeat at Celtic Park in September when the Scouser last turned out for Rangers. That was to be his eighth and final appearance in a blue jersey since signing a two-year deal in May.
Later that month it emerged that Barton had been suspended for three weeks after an argument with teammate Andy Halliday and manager Mark Warburton.
Despite meeting with club officials on two further occasions, Barton remained suspended until returning a week ago.
In a club statement they cited that “appropriate training arrangements” would be made for as long as the ex-Burnley man remained a Rangers player.
Those training arrangements lasted just one day as Barton did not return to Auchenhowie after last Thursday.
Now that his release is finalised, the former QPR captain will be free to return to England where he is linked with Aston Villa and Burnley.
The 34-year-old midfielder won’t be finished with Scottish football just yet however. Barton is due to answer Scottish Football Association charges next week in relation to alleged betting on matches.