Rangers terminate Joey Barton contract with immediate effect

Rangers have terminated Joey Barton's contract with immediate effect, the Scottish Premiership club have confirmed.

The midfielder arrived at Ibrox on a two-year deal just six months ago, but a training-ground bust-up with teammate Andy Halliday saw Barton suspended for a week.

Barton's ban was extended after he refused to apologise and, when the club allowed him to return on November 2 to train with the academy squad, he was reportedly signed off with stress.

A club statement issued on Thursday read: "Rangers and Joey Barton have agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect. Neither Rangers nor Joey Barton will comment further."

The 34-year-old is said to be on the radar of English sides Burnley and Derby County.