Celtic legend Chris Sutton feels Rangers boss Mark Warburton’s “weak management” significantly contributed to the Joey Barton saga getting out of hand.
Barton, who joined Rangers from Burnley on a free transfer in the summer, was suspended by the Gers for three weeks after he was involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday last Tuesday.
Warburton initially told Barton to stay away from the club, with the 34-year-old soon issuing a statement and also going on to radio station Talksport, to talk about the situation.
However, Rangers who did not include Barton in their matchday squad at the weekend, issued a formal suspension statement on Monday.
But Sutton explained that he was not pleased with the manner in which Warburton handled the situation as he thinks the Rangers boss let things blow out of proportion.
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“I’ve already described it as weak management from Mark Warburton and I still stand by that”, he was quoted as saying by the Herald Scotland.
“The Barton situation has got completely out of hand.
"He should’ve dealt with it on the Tuesday, there and then."
And Sutton says that legendary Rangers boss Walter Smith and former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill would have cleaned house at once.
"It wouldn’t have happened under Walter Smith or my old manager Martin O’Neill.
“It would’ve been dealt with “bang, done”. Sacked, fined, or suspended — but it would’ve been clear.”
Barton, whose present contract with Rangers runs until 2018, has thus far made eight appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants.
