Joey Barton to remain a Rangers player but will not be considered for first team, club confirms

Barton joined the club from Burnley in May

Barton has not played since the 5-1 defeat to Celtic (Getty)

Joey Barton will remain with Rangers after the club confirmed his contract with the club would not be terminated, but he will not be considered for the first team.

The Englishman has been suspended since a training-ground bust-up in September with teammate Andy Halliday following the 5-1 defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic.

He also had a row with manager Mark Warburton and was told to stay away from the club’s training ground Auchenhowie, while an internal investigation was carried out.

However, following the conclusion of the disciplinary procedure, the club has confirmed the 34-year-old will return to ‘full-time training’, albeit with the academy side and not the first team.

In a statement, Rangers said: “Joey Barton has been told he will return to full-time training following the conclusion of a disciplinary procedure.

“The Auchenhowie management team will inform the player of appropriate training arrangements to which he must adhere for as long as he remains a Rangers player. Neither the Club nor the player will comment further.”

The former QPR, Newcastle and Manchester City player is also currently facing Scottish FA charges for breaching betting rules after he was alleged to have placed 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15.

Joey Barton in action for Rangers (Getty)

Barton joined the Scottish Premiership side in the summer after rejecting a contract extension with Burnley and signed a two-year deal at Ibrox.

He has made eight appearances for Rangers, who are currently second in the Scottish Premiership.