Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has insisted that he was surprised to see Joey Barton joining Rangers by giving up on the opportunity to play in the Premier League with Burnley.
Barton, who played a key role in helping Burnley win the Championship last season, joined Rangers on a two-year deal earlier in the week.
The midfielder scored three goals and provided as many assists in 38 league games in the 2015/16 campaign as the Clarets made an immediate return to the Premier League.
On the other hand, Rangers too returned to the top flight for the first time since they had to start in the fourth tier following their liquidation in 2012 by comfortably securing the Scottish Championship title.
And Lennon, who lauded Barton’s personality, feels the former Manchester City and Newcastle United star sees Rangers as a new challenge in his career.
relatedNewsStory
“Joey is a good lad and he's got a great personality”, he was quoted as saying by the Herald Scotland.
“I'm surprised he left Burnley in the Premier League to go to Rangers but he obviously sees it as the next challenge in his career.
“He had a good season last year and big things will be expected of him at Rangers.
"He will enjoy that responsibility."
Barton, who was named in the Championship’s Team of the Season last term, has one cap for England to his name.
