Assistant manager David Weir has said he believes that signing Joey Barton will help take Rangers to the next level and more than shows the ambitions of the side moving forward.
Having lifted the Petrofac Training Cup last season, as well as the Championship title to book our place back in the Premiership, Rangers lost out to Europe and the Scottish Cup, but we can skip that for now.
Speaking after Barton signed his deal with the club, Weir told the Official Site that he felt it was a real coup given the other interest the midfielder had, but also a statement of intent for the coming year.
‘I think it is a massive signing, I really do. I think for us to have the opportunity to sign a player of that calibre was probably outwith what we expected. So it`s been a long process, it`s been difficult, and to get him in the building I think says a lot about the work that has gone on.’
Weir went on to say.
‘I`ve known him for a long time, playing against him and obviously watching him as well. He`s a fantastic talent and has all the attributes that we need within our team to add to what we have already got. So he ticks all the boxes in regards to both personality and ability. I think it`s a massive coup, as I said I think he`s possibly a player we thought was unachievable in regards to, in many people`s eyes, the best player in the Championship last season. He`s still improving, I think Joey will mention that himself and I think that is really important, and he is an ideal fit in regards to what we need for our team. So I think it ticks all the boxes.’
Weir also explained what he felt the 33 year old would add to our midfield in the coming season.
‘I think he will bring quality in respect of how he plays, he will organise, he will make other players better, he`s a leader, I think that`s very clear from the way he speaks and the way he acts. So I think that will add to our football club. On the pitch is always most important but off the pitch I think his experience and his knowledge and where he is in his life, he`s got massive life experiences to give to the rest of the players and the group in general.’
In a secondary interview he built on those aspects of his play, and the part he can play now as a leader to what is largely a younger group of players.
‘Those players (Miller and Wallace) have had a heavy burden in respect of we are a really young team. Lee`s not that old himself and Kenny`s very experienced, so we need a couple of experienced players to help those players and to help the younger ones develop as well. We have a lot of talented young players here who need help and need to be guided, and we need to get the benefit of the experience that Joey, Kenny and Lee have. Joey is 33 now and I think he still has a lot of football ahead of him. He`s come up here to play, he`s come up here to contribute and he`s come up here to win football games. I think he`s got a lot more to offer, he`s got a two-year contract and we want him to be here beyond that.’
Adding.
‘I think he enjoys it and it`s a big part of the reason he came here, because he realises what Rangers can be and the expectation to win football matches every week is a heavy burden. Some players don`t enjoy that and some players do enjoy that. I just get the feeling that Joey is going to really enjoy it; he`s been promoted with Burnley, he`s been promoted with Queen`s Park Rangers, he`s qualified for the Champions League with Marseille, he`s had success throughout his career on a number of levels. We are genuinely fortunate to get that at the club now. The reason he has come here is to try make Rangers successful – that`s music to our ears.’
