Rangers ban Joey Barton for three weeks over training-ground bust-up

Rangers have suspended Joey Barton for three weeks in the wake of a training-ground row.

After being banished for most of last week, Barton reported at Ibrox this morning for a meeting with manager Mark Warburton and board members. And his future at the club remains in serious doubt.

A club statement read: "Joey Barton has today been suspended by the club and will not return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie for a period of three weeks.

"The manager, Mark Warburton, and club believe that time and space is required for both the club and the player to assess all that has happened.

"Neither party will make any further statement or comment on this issue."

At his pre-match press conference, Warburton was again asked about the situation but refused to be drawn into a discussion.

It's not for me to make any further comment other than what has been released by the club this morning," he said.

"That's all I'm going to say. I'm sure you can understand that from my position and the position of the club. The statement has gone out and no further comment will be made from the club."

He also declined to confirm whether Barton had been placed on paid leave, adding: "You can imagine that such details never come out and are never mentioned by me.

"Respect the fact we're not going to make any further comment."

But the Englishman did insist he will continue to carry out the type of post-match debriefs which sparked the Barton row - but stressed he will not stand for players overstepping the line with their comments.

He said: "The environment we create for the players and the staff is about giving respectful opinion.

"I always want opinion. I'll never have a problem with a player knocking on my door to talk about a session. Do it in the right manner or else they'll get a flea in their ear.

"It's about being respectful with the way we deal with each other.

"That's the way society is these days, it's changing. So I have no problem with players expressing opinions at all. It's how you deliver the message which will always be key to myself and my staff."