Rangers FC Midfielder Joey Barton Signed Off With Stress As Exit Nears

Rangers FC midfielder Joey Barton has been signed off with stress as negotiations on a severance deal continue.

Rangers FC Midfielder Joey Barton Signed Off With Stress As Exit Nears

The 34-year-old Englishman was told to return to practice with the under-20s last week following a six-week suspension from the Scottish club for a training camp fight with teammates in September.

The scuffle came after Barton played in Rangers’ 5-1 Old Firm loss, team’s biggest defeat to their local rivals since falling 6-2 in August 2000.

According to Record Sport, Barton will meet with Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson before the end of the week to hash out a financial settlement and terminate his £20,000-a-week ($24,900) contract.

The former Burnley and Manchester City player has not been at training since Thursday.

The once-capped England international left Burnley under freedom of contract at the end of last season, signing a two-year contract at Ibrox.

Barton is also facing Scottish FA charges for breaching betting rules. He was charged with placing 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15.

Barton is now expected to leave with a pay-off before returning to English football in the New Year. Burnley and Aston Villa are believed to be among the clubs offering to sign him.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 06: Joey Barton of Rangers during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)