MX23RW : Friday, April 19 20:39:50| >> :120:12719:12719:

Joey Barton: 'I could not turn Rangers down'

Joey Barton says that the chance to join Rangers instead of re-signing for Burnley was too good to turn down.

Joey Barton has conceded that the "competitive animal" within convinced him to join Rangers.

The out-of-contract midfielder was offered a new deal by Burnley, having helped the Clarets to return to the Premier League as winners of the Championship last term.

However, despite conceding that it was a tough decision to walk away from Turf Moor, the 33-year-old revealed that the lure of Ibrox proved too strong.

"Thanks to all the Burnley fans and everyone connected to the club. Amazing support this year that will live with me for a lifetime," he wrote on Twitter.

"Toughest decision of my professional life to leave an amazing set of people and a phenomenal culture behind. Club is in a great place on and off the pitch with great custodians at the helm.

"I was presented with an opportunity and challenge the competitive animal in me just could not turn down. Onwards and upwards now."

The one-capped England international is believed to already be in Glasgow, where he is undergoing a medical.

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Joey Barton celebrates with teammates as his deflected free kick goes in for the opening goal during the Championship match between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on April 22, 2016
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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