Rangers Man Barton Explains Celtic Fan Tweets

New Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has tried to distance himself from tweets he previously sent in which he said he supported Celtic.

Barton signed a two-year deal at Ibrox on Tuesday after moving north from Burnley on a free transfer, having helped the Clarets win promotion to the Premier League.

The 33-year-old said his move came after being seduced by the history of Rangers, but he was reminded on social media of tweets sent in the past stating his support for the other half of Glasgow.

However, Barton said his allegiances would be obvious come the first Old Firm game of next season.

"You only support one club," he insisted. "Come on, let's have it right - I'm an Evertonian.

"But coming from a football family, if the Milan derby was on, you'd have to pick a side - AC Milan or Inter. If it's Barca vs Real Madrid, I'd have to pick a side. That's just what we do.

"So obviously, being Joseph Anthony and having gone to Catholic schools, I didn't really have a choice when it came to it. So I looked out for one of the teams when the Old Firm was on. I've said on Twitter, amongst other things, 'I'm a Celtic fan'.

"You have to take that in jest. I don't think anybody will have any doubt about my allegiances when we play Celtic."