Monday 13 June 2016 14:42, UK
New Rangers signing Joey Barton has wasted no time in taking a swipe at Old Firm rivals Celtic, telling their skipper Scott Brown: "You're not as good as me."
The well-travelled midfielder, now 33, will join-up with the Glasgow giants on July 1 and the former Manchester City, Marseille and Newcastle player told radio station talkSPORT: "People keep talking about Joey Barton and Scott Brown.
"He ain't in my league. He is nowhere the level I am as a player. He can't get to me.
"If I play well, Scott Brown doesn't stand a chance. That is not me being blasé. That is me just stating what I believe."
However, Barton realises it will be 'extremely competitive' in the Scottish Premiership which welcomes back Rangers following four seasons in lower divisions.
He added: "There are some good sides, some really good players who are going to be ultra-competitive. I am expecting I have got to be at the best of my ability for Rangers to do what they need to do. I'm trained and I am ready to go.
"I have played against Scottish players south of the border. Every one of them gives you a game, every one of them is at it. I am expecting nothing less.
If I play well, Scott Brown doesn't stand a chance.
"I have been a marked man for 10 years - which is a lot of my own doing - and I am comfortable with that. I am comfortable with expectation, I'm comfortable with pressure, I'm comfortable with my mindset and focus I have in terms of turning in my own performances.
"If I get to that level, unfortunately for anybody up there, they ain't going to live with me."
