Tuesday 6 September 2016 16:57, UK
Former Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson would not be surprised to see Joey Barton get wound up in his first Old Firm game.
Barton joined Rangers on a free transfer over the summer, after being part of the Burnley team that secured promotion to England's Premier League last season.
Since his arrival in Scotland, the 34-year-old has made a number of public comments about Celtic, most notably when he claimed fellow midfielder Scott Brown to be "nowhere near his level".
And Thompson would not be at all shocked to see the red mist descend on Barton at Celtic Park on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, a feeling Thompson knows well after being sent off in his first Old Firm game in 2000 at Ibrox.
Asked if Barton could be wound up, Thompson said: "Joey could, yes. I know Joey well. I worked with him at Newcastle.
"He does do a lot of talking Joey, but if I can give him any advice I would say, 'Go and do it on the pitch Joey, don't do it off the pitch, do it on it', because he is a good footballer.
"They (Celtic players) might try to capitalise on that with Joey and Rangers players might try to get at Scott Brown. But Browny has been there, seen it and done it.
"Joey is an experienced player, he has been around the block, but as I said before, don't get involved in the hype, just play the game."
Thompson says it is very easy to get caught up in the unique atmosphere of an Old Firm derby, and he ended his Bhoys career with three red cards against their fierce rivals.
He added: "You just get involved in the hype during the week building up to it and you see the red mist. I wouldn't recommend it.
"It wasn't just my first game, it was a couple after that. You get caught up in the occasion, you get involved with one or two individuals.
"You mistime a silly tackle and it costs you and costs the team, costs the club and costs you points. Just play the game and don't get involved in the occasion and all the hype around it.
"It's fairly hypocritical of me to say that, but get on with it and enjoy the occasion. Don't ruin it by sitting in the dressing room for part of the game."
