Rangers suspend Joey Barton for three weeks and hope against hope he lets the matter rest

Joey Barton has been suspended by Rangers for three weeks following his training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday and argument with manager Mark Warburton.

The 34-year-old midfielder was banished from the club's training ground last week and missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Ross County at Ibrox following the row that proceeded the previous week's 5-1 Old Firm defeat. The club released a statement on Monday morning, saying that the former Manchester City and QPR man would not return to work for three weeks. https://twitter.com/RangersFC/status/777809515253227520

"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."

The last line seems a little hopeful, given Barton has already taken to the airwaves to try and explain the situation and also has an autobiography due out this week. Barton will likely be expected to do a series of media interviews to promote the book, co-written with Michael Calvin, and it could be difficult for him to keep schtum on the whole affair. More 'time and space' may be required.

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