Mon May 23, 2016 5:17 pm
So maybe No to Rangers
BURNLEY ANNOUNCE RETAINED LIST
23/05/16
Burnley have confirmed Rangers target Joey Barton has been offered a new contract, along with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Both men are out of contract following the club's Sky Bet Championship title-winning campaign, but manager Sean Dyche wants them to remain at Turf Moor in the Barclays Premier League.
Matt Gilks and Danijel Nizic have been released, alongside Matt Taylor, Lloyd Dyer and Jason Gilchrist.
Tue May 24, 2016 10:01 pm
Joey Barton says he wants to establish himself as the best player in Scotland after Rangers move
The midfielder signed a two-year deal with the Ibrox club this week.
New Rangers signing Joey Barton has told talkSPORT that he is aiming to be the best player in Scotland next season after joining the Ibrox club.
Barton rejected the opportunity to stay at promoted Burnley, as well as allegedly ignoring offers from other Premier League clubs, in order to move north of the border and join the Gers on their return to the Scottish Premiership.
The 33-year-old admitted his delight at the move on his social media accounts on Tuesday, and Rangers assistant boss David Weir insisted that the club had surpassed everyone's expectations, including their own, by sealing the signing of the former England star.
Barton has now told talkSPORT that he has not chosen the move north because he feels as though his top-class career is coming to an end; on the contrary, he insisted that he is on an "upward curve" and that his personal ambition is to be recognised as the best player in Scotland.
The midfielder said: "I still feel I can more than hold my own, I feel like I’m on an upward curve as a player as last season showed. I don’t want to go up there as a swansong, a last hurrah. That’s not me.
"I’m going up there to play the best football at the peak of my powers, challenge for titles, cups and also after getting a personal accolade this season at Burnley, I want to go to Scotland and be the best player in the country - that’s my aim.